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PRINCETON  .  NEW  JERSEY 

FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
ROBERT  ELLIOTT  SPEER 

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THE  LIFE  AND  LETTERS  OF  PAUL 


USING  THE  TEXT  OF  THE  AMERICAN , 
REVISED  BIBLE        /^ 


ilL 


Bn.^, 


PREPARED  BY 

SYDNEY  STRONG,  WILLIAM  E.^* 
THEODORE  G.  SOARES 


FEB  20  1959 


EDITORS  OF  "  HIS  LIFE,"  "  HIS  FRIENDS," 
"  HIS  LAST  WEEK,"  ETC. 


'-{ 


HOPE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 


150  Michigan  Avenue 
CHICAGO 


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NEW  YORK 


HIS  LIFE 

THE  STORY  OF  JESUS  IN  THE  WORDS  OF 
THE  FOUR  GOSPELS 

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HIS  FRIENDS 

THE  STORY  OF  THE  IMMEDIATE  DISCIPLES 
OF  JESUS  AFTER  HIS  ASCENSION;   AND 
THEIR  LETTERS 

Styles  and  prices  uniform  with  "His  Life. " 


HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE 

THE  LIFE  AND  LETTERS  OF  PAUL  IN  THE 

WORDS  OF  SCRIPTURE  AND  IN 

CHRONOLOGICAL  ORDER 

Styles    and    prices    uniform    with     "His    Life. 


HIS  LAST  WEEK 

THE   GOSPEL  STORY  OF  THE  PASSION   AND 
RESURRECTION  OF  JESUS 

Paper  covers,  single  copy  7  cents.      10  to  49  copies 
6  cents.     50  to  500  copies  5  cents,  postage  prepaid. 


HOPE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
Chicago  and  New  York 


Copyright,  1906,  by  the  Pastors'  Publi.shing  Union. 
The  Text  of  the  American  Standard  Revised  Bible, 
copyright  1901 ,  by  Thomas  Nelson  &  Sons,  is  used  by 
special  arrangement  and  with  their  permission. 


PREFACE. 

With  this  third  volume,  the  editors  complete  the 
New  Testament  series  of  booklets,  whose  usefulness 
has  been  attested  by  the  distribution  of  more  than  a 
hundred  thousand  copies  of  "His  Life"  and  the 
welcome  accorded  "His  Friends."  The  present 
volume  contains  the  entire  story  of  Paul  as  recorded 
in  the  Acts,  with  the  Pauline  letters  in  probable 
chronological  order,  the  earlier  ones  inserted  in  the 
narrative  down  to  the  time  of  the  imprisonment  in 
Rome.  It  is  the  hope  of  the  editors  that  this  volume, 
which  may  be  used  independently,  or  as  a  sequel  to 
either  of  the  others,  may  deserve  as  hearty  a  reception 
and  accomplish  as  large  a  work  as  "His  Life;"  and 
that  "the  things  which  Jesus  began  to  do  and  to  teach 
until  the  day  when  he  was  taken  up, "  may  be  traced 
in  their  historic  continuity  in  the  labors  of  "His 
Friends"  and  "His  Great  Apostle."  The  very  inex- 
pensive form  in  which  the  work  is  offered  adapts  it 
to  the  needs  of  Bible  Classes  and  Prayer-Meetings, 
as  well  as  for  private  study  and  devotional  reading, 
and  can  hardly  fail  to  assist  the  reader  in  fixing  the 
order  of  the  epistles  and  their  relation  to  the  incidents 
of    the    Apostle's    life. 

As  in  the  previous  volumes,  we  have  been  permitted 
to  use  the  text  of  the  American  Standard  Revised 
Bible,  and  thus  to  give  the  best  of  all  English  trans- 
lations. 

The  Apostle  Paul,  defending  himself  in  a  letter  to  the 
Corinthian  disciples,  declared  that  he  was  not  only 
an  ajjostle,  but  that  he  reckoned  himself  to  be  not  a 
3 


a  PREFACE 

whit  behind  the  very  chiefest  of  the  apostles.  If 
this  claim  seemed  too  large  to  any  of  them  who  first 
heard  it,  it  is  less  than  the  world  now  readily  concedes: 
for  in  the  development  of  Christianity  the  influence 
of  Paul  has  been  greater  than  that  of  the  Twelve 
combined. 

To  understand  Christianity  it  is  essential  first  of 
all  that  we  understand  our  Lord  himself,  His  words, 
His  works,  and  "all  that  Jesus  began  both  to  do  and  to 
teach."  This  is  the  purpose  of  the  little  book  "His 
Life.  " 

It  is  important  also  that  we  know  the  story  of 
those  who  were  His  first  disciples  and  witnesses  of 
the  Resurrection,  how  they  bore  that  message  to  the 
world,  and  won  their  converts  from  among  the  Jews, 
beginning  in  the  very  city  where  their  Lord  had  been 
crucified.  To  tell  this  story  in  the  simplest  and  most 
effective  way  has  been  the  purpose  of  the  book  "His 
Friends. " 

But  beside  all  this  we  should  know  how  Christi- 
anity came  to  realize  its  independence  of  Juda- 
ism, how  it  became  a  great  missionary  religion, 
how  it  made  its  way  along  the  Roman  roads,  estab- 
lishing itself  in  the  commercial  and  political  centers 
of  the  Roman  world,  till  it  crossed  into  Macedonia, 
and  spread  through  Europe,  and  established  itself 
with  power  in  Rome  itself,  growing  until  it  became 
the  most  vital  power  in  the  Empire,  and  the  imme- 
diate cause  of  its  regeneration;  and  to  understand  this 
wonderful  history  we  must  know  the  story  of  the  man 
who  first  appears  as  a  persecutor,  and  later  as  a  con- 
vert, and  then  as  an  apostle:  who  was  not  ashamed  of 
the  Gospel  which  proved  itself  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation. 

It  is  the  sincere  hope  of  the  editors  of  this  booklet 
that  its  method,  in  some  respects  an  entirely  new  one 
in  works  intended  for  popular  study,  but  following 
a  plan  well  tested  and  approved  among  scholars,  may 
prove  a  distinct  help  in  the  interpretation  of  the  de- 
velopment of  Christianity  into  that  power  that  changed 
the  history  and  destiny  of  the  world. 

THE  EDITORS. 


f)i9  Great  Hpostle 

Saul    the    Persecutor 1 

The  Conversion  of  Saul 1 

Saul  Preaching  at  Damascus 3 

Saul  and  the  Jerusalem   Church 3 

"The    Christians"   in   Antioch 4 

The  Missionary  Impulse ' 5 

The  Beginning   in  Cyprus 5 

Saul  Called   Paul 5 

Defection   of  John   Mark 6 

The  Gospel  in   Galatia 6 

The  Effect  of  Paul's  Sermon 8 

Jewish    Hostility    8 

Preaching  and  Persecution  in  Iconium 9 

The  Miracle  at  Lystra 10 

The  Apostles  Taken  for  Gods 10 

Paul  Stoned   11 

The   Galatian    Churches 11 

Return  from  the  First  Journey 11 

Trouble  with  the  Judaizers 11 

The  Council  at  Jerusalem 12 

The  Decision  of  the  Council 13 

Satisfaction  in   Antioch 14 

The  Second  Journey 14 

Paul,  Silas  and  Timothy 15 

Spiritual   Leading  to  Macedonia 15 

Luke  Joins  the  Missionaries 16 

Preaching  in  Philippi 16 

Paul  and  Silas'  in  Prison 17 

Founding  of  the  Thessalonian  Church 18 

Jewish  Hostility 19 

Faithful  Ministry  in  Beroea 19 

Paul  Alone  in  Athens 20 

In  Corinth  with  Aquila  and  Priscilla 22 

Silas  and  Timothy  in  Corinth 22 

■pirst  Letter  to  the  CbeasjUoniatis 

A  Grateful   Remembrance 23 

The  Influence  of  the  Church 23 

The  Faithfulness  of  the  Apostles 24 

The  Responsiveness  of  the  Church 24 

Paul's  Enforced  Absence 25 

The  Good  Report  of  Timothy 25 

A  Prayer   26 

Warning   Against   Impurity .^ 26 

A  Brotherly  and  Orderly  Life '. 27 

Comfort  for  the  Dead 27 

V 


Vi  HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE 

The  Coming  of  the  Lord ., , 27 

The  Christian  Society 28 

The  Apostolic  Prayer 21) 

Final  Words 29 

8ccond  lUttcr  to  the  Chessalonians 

Gratitude  for  the  Steadfast  Faith 30 

A  Prayer  for  Perfecting 30 

Warning  Concerning  the  Lord's   Coming 31 

Precedent  Manifestation  of  Evil 31 

The    Salvation    of    the    Chosen 32 

A    Prayer    for    Steadfastness 32 

Mutual    Prayers    32 

Condemnation    of    the    Lazy 32 

Wise    but    Firm    Discipline • .  33 

A   Prayer   for    Peace 33 

Autograph   Salutation    33 

Continued    Evangelization    in   Corinth 34 

Departure  from   Corinth 34 

Conclusion  of  the  Second  Journey 34 

Che  lUttcr  to  the  Galatians 

The  One  Gospel 35 

The  Gospel  Revealed  to  Paul 35 

Paul's   Independent   Apostleship 36 

Recognition  by  the  Pillar  Apostles 37 

Paul's  Rebuke  of  Peter 37 

The  Experience  of  Spiritual  Religion : .  .  .  38 

Abraham's  Spiritual  Religion 35) 

The  Law  and  the  Curse 39 

The  Promise  Preceded  the  Law 39 

The  Tutelage  of  the  Law 40 

The  Freedom  of  Sonship 40 

The  P'ullness  of  Redemption 41 

The  Bondage  of  Legalism 41 

A  Personal  Appeal 41 

The  Allegory  of  Bondage  and  Freedom 42 

Freedom  and  Grace 43 

The   Danger  of  Freedom 43 

The  Works  of  the  Flesh 44 

The  Fruit  of  the  Spirit 44 

Fault-Finding   and  Self -Searching 44 

Sowing   and    Reaping 45 

Extended   Autograph  Conclusion 45 

The  Third  Journey   from  Antioch 4G 

The  El()(iuent  Apollos 46 

Paul's  Beginning  at  Ephesus 47 

Three  Months  in  the  Synagogue 47 

Two    Years'    Ministry 47 

Plans  for  the  Future 48 

first  Letter  to  the  Corintbians 

Gratitude   for'  the   Work  of   Grace 49 

The  Reported  I'arty  Strife 4!) 

Danger  of   Worhlly   Wisdom 50 

The  Humble  Chosen 51 


HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE  vii 

The  Humility  of  Paul 51 

The   Diviue    Wisdom ^ 51 

Spiritual   Revelation   52 

Spiritual    Apprehension    52 

Strife  About  Teachers 52 

God  Greater   than   Teachers 53 

Individual    Responsibility    53 

Glorying  Not  In  Men 54 

Teachers    Under    Christ 54 

A   Sarcastic  Deference 54 

A    Loving    Admonition 55 

The   Reported   Scandal 56 

The  Necessity  of  Discipline 56 

A  Former  Letter  of   Counsel 56 

Lawsuits    Between    Brethren 57 

Solemn    Warning    57 

The  Law  of  Chastity , 58 

Celibacy    and    Marriage 58 

The  Believer  and  the  Unbeliever 59 

Christianity  Sanctifies  Every  State 60 

Special    Reasons   for   Celibacy 60 

Cautious   Conduct  of  a  Liberal  Man 61 

Paul's    Apostolic    Rights 62 

The   Right    to   Forego   Rights 63 

Lessons  from  the  Past 64 

The  Temptation  of   Idolatry 65 

A    Question   of    Principle 66 

Questions   of    Expediency 66 

Womanly  Modesty    67 

Church  Dissensions    67 

The   Church    Supper 68 

The   Lord's   Supper 68 

Decorum  in  the  Communion 68 

Spiritual    Gifts    69 

One   Spirit :     Many   Gifts 69 

One  Body :     Many  Members 70 

The   Varit)us   Gifts 71 

The  Most  Excellent  Way 71 

The  Graciousness  of   Love 71 

The  Permanence  of  Love 72 

The  Primacy  of  Love 72 

Edification   Better    than    Ecstasy 72 

The   Conduct  of  a  Meeting 74 

The  Authority  of  the   Letter 75 

The  Gospel  and  the  Resurrection 75 

The   Denial  of  the   Resurrection 76 

Christ  the  First  Fruits .  -. 76 

The  Resurrection  and  the   Consummation 76 

The  Resurrection  as  a   Motive 77 

The  Question   of   the   Body 77 

The   Resurrection   Victory 78 

Directions   for   the   Collection 79 

Personal   Plans    79 

Timothy  and   Apollos 79 

A    Last    Admonition SO 

Leading    Corinthian    Christians 80 

The   Salutations    80 

The    Autograph    Conclusion 80 

Tumultous  End  of   Labors  in  Ephesus 81 


viii  HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE 

Second  Hctter  to  the  Corinthians 

Praise  for  God's  Comfort 83 

The   Afflictions   iu   Ephesus 83 

Self-Viudicatiou   84 

The   Change  of  Plans ♦. 84 

Delay   Through    Kindness 85 

The  Offender  Disciplined : 85 

Anxiety   for  Titus'    Report 86 

Joy  in  the  Victory 86 

Au   Approved   Ministry 86 

A   Confident   Ministry 86 

A  Ministry  of  Truth 87 

Weakness    and    Strength 88 

The   Seen  and   The   Unseen 89 

Life.    Death,    Judgment 89 

The  Minister's  Motive 90 

The  Ministry  of  Keconciliation 90 

The  Minister's  Credentials 91 

An  Appeal  of  Love 91 

Danger  of  Heathen  Defilements 91 

The   Jov   of    Reconciliation 92 

Anxiety   Till  Titus   Came 92 

The  Previous  Painful  Letter 93 

The    Offender     93 

The    Happy    Issue 93 

A  Good   Example  in  Giving 94 

Christ's  Example    94 

Willing    and    Doing 94 

Trustees    of    Beneficence 95 

Goodly  Rivalry  in  Giving 96 

The  Grace  of   Liberality 96 

Reply   to  the    Opponents 97 

Vindication  of   Apostleship 97 

Limits  of  Territory 98 

The  Apostle  and  His   Converts 98 

The  Gratuitous  Ministry 99 

If   It    Come   to    Boasting 100 

The  Boast  of  the  Jew 100 

The  Boast  of  tlie  Missionary 100 

The    Boast   of    Revelation 101 

The   Follv  of  Boasting 101 

An  Apostle  Without  a  Salary 1<>2 

The  Consequent  Suspicion 102 

Warning  of  the   Forthcoming  Visit 103 

Confidence   in  the   Forthcoming   Visit 103 

Salutations 104 

Through  Macedonia   to  Corinth 104 

Cbc  lUttcr  to  the  Romans 

Desire  to  Preach  in  Rome 105 

The   Great   Theme !"'<> 

God's    Wrath    Against    Sin 106 

The   Failure  of    the   (JcMitiie 10b 

The    Vices   of    Hcathcnisni 10< 

God    Without    Favoritism 107 

Judgment  According  to  Light 108 

The   Failure  of   the   Jew 108 

God's  Grace  to  the  Jew 109 


HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE  ix 

Sin  Without   Excuse 110 

The   Universal  Failure 110 

The   New  Justification Ill 

Boasting    Excluded    Ill 

Abraham   Justified   by    Faith Ill 

Abraham,    Father   of  all   the   Faithful 112 

The  Promise  Before  the  Law 112 

Faith    in   the    Promise 113 

Peace    After    Faith 113 

The   Hope  of  Salvation 114 

The  Hope  Founded  on   Divine  Love 114 

The  Common  Lot  of  Death 114 

The  Gift  of   Universal  Grace 115 

Abounding   Grace    115 

The  Death  to  Sin .115 

The    Resurrection    to    Righteousness' 116 

The    Higher    Obedience 116 

Servitude    and    Freedom 116 

The  Old  Bond  and  the   New 117 

The  Purpose  of  Law 118 

The   Moral  Conflict 118 

The   Divine    Deliverance 113 

No  Condemnation    119 

The  Flesh  and  the  Spirit 119 

Heirs    of    God 120 

The    Waiting    Universe 120 

The   Hope   Beyond 121 

Help  in  Prayer 121 

The  Process  of  Salvation 121 

The  Mighty  Confidence 122 

The  Sadness  of  Israel's  Unbelief 122 

God's  Choice  of  Israel 123 

God's   Sovereign    Choice 123 

God's    Discriminating  Choice 123 

Israel's  Failure   124 

Self-Righteousness    125 

Refusal  of  the  Simple  Gospel 125 

The  Gkispel  Everywhere  Proclaimed 126 

The  Predicted   Rejection 126 

Salvation  of   the   Remnant 126 

The  Coming  of  the  Gentiles 127 

The  .Warning  from  Israel 128 

The   Hope  for  Israel ." .  128 

God's  Mercy  Upon  All 129 

Doxology    129 

The  Christian  Sacrifice 129 

Members  One  of  Another . . '. 129 

Social    Relations    130 

The  Christian's  Vengeance 130 

Church  and  State 131 

The  Law  of  Love 131 

Living  in   the  Light 132 

Religious  Tolerance    •  132 

High   Ground  of  Abstinence .• 133 

Confidence  in  the  Roman  Church 135 

Ministry  of  Paul 135 

Plans  for  the  Future 1,35 

The  Collection  for  Jerusalem • 1.36 

A  Request  for  Prayer 136 

The  Commendation  of  Phoebe 1.36 

Salutations   to  Friends 137 


X  HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE 

Final   Warnings 137 

Salutations    from    Friends 13S 

Doxology    13S 

Dangers    in    Corinth 130 

Reunion  with  Lulie 13!) 

Paul's  Long  Sermon 139 

Voyage    to    Miletus 140 

Paul's  Farewell  to  the  Ephesian  Elders 1-10 

The  Voyage  to  Caesarea 141 

Faithful   Unto  Death 142 

Reception   in   Jerusalem 143 

A  Jew  Among  Jews 144 

The  Assault  in  the  Temple 144 

Arrested   by  the   Roman  Tribune 144 

The  Speech  in  Hebrew 145 

The  Jewish  Clamor 147 

Roman   Citizenship 147 

Before   the  Council 14S 

Dissension  in  the  Council 14S 

Divine  Comfort 149 

The  Plot  of  Assassiaation 149 

Discovery  of  the  Plot 149 

Paul  Sent  to  the  Procurator 150 

Arrival  in  Caesarea 151 

The  Accusation  of  the  Jews 151 

Paul's  Defense 152 

The   Case    Remanded 153 

Paul   and   Felix 153 

Fes'tus  the  New  Procurator 153 

The  Appeal  to  Caesar 154 

Festus'    Consultation    with    Agrippa 154 

Paul  Before  Agrippa 155 

Paul's  Speech   to  Agrippa 155 

The  Effect  of  the  Speech 157 

The  Departure  for  Italy:    Paul,  Luke  and  Aristarchus 158 

Paul's  Advice  on  Seamanship 159 

The    Hurricane 159 

The   Shipwreck 100 

On  the  Island  of  Melita 161 

Healing  the  Sick ]  62 

The  Voyage  to  Rome 162 

The   Roman  Imprisonment 163 

("onference  with  the  Roman  Jews 163 

Two  Years  Waiting  for  Trial 164 


Letter  to  tb2  pbilippians 


A  Thanksgiving    165 

A   Prayer    165 

The  Bonds  and  the  Gospel 166 

Christ  Magnified    166 

Exhortation  to  Cduruge 167 

Unity   and    Ihiinilily 167 

PLxample  of  Christ's  Humility 167 

Christ's  Exaltation  167 

Salvation  Carried  Through 168 

The  Plan  to  Send  Timothy 168 

The  Return  of  Epaphroditus 169 

Conhdence  in  the  Flesh ;...•.  169 

The  Great  Renunciation 162 


HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE  xi 

Pressing  Toward  tlie  Goal 170 

The  Couditious  of  Chi'istiau  Progress 171) 

Two  Women  at  Variance 171 

Joy   and   Forbearance 171 

Things  to  Be  Valued 171 

The  Secret  of  Content 172 

Thanks  for  the  Philippian  Present 172 

Doxology    172 

Salutations    172 


Letter  to  the  Bphesians 


God's  Blessed  Purpose 173 

Christ's  Glorious  Supremacy 174 

The   Dead   Made   Alive 174 

The  Gentiles  Made  Nigh 175 

The  Aliens  Made  Citizens 176 

The  Universal  Gospel 176 

The  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles • 176 

A  Prayer  for  Fulness 177 

Doxology    177 

Living  Worthy  of  Such  Calling 177 

The  Unity  of  the  Church 178 

The  Old  Wrong  Life .- 178 

The  New  Right  Life 179 

Falsehood,   Anger.   Theft 179 

Evil  Speech  and  Bitterness 179 

God's  Example  of  Love 180 

The  Sins  of  Impurity 18o 

Wisdom  and  Enthusiasm 181 

Christian  Wives 181 

Christian  Husbands  181 

Christian  Children    182 

Christian  Fathers    182 

Christian   Employees    182 

Christian  Employers   182 

The  Panoply  of  God 183 

Commendation  of  the  Messenger 183 

Letter  to  the  Colcssians 

Thanksgiving  for  the  Church 184 

The  Pre-eminence  of  Christ 185 

The  Gospel  of  Reconciliation 185 

The  Mission  of  the  Apostle 186 

Interest  in   the  Churches 186 

Danger  of  Vain   Philosophy 187 

False  Doctrines  and  Practices 187 

Christ  Our  Life 188 

Sins  to  Be  Destroyed 188 

The  Christian  Virtues 189 

The  Relations  of  Life 189 

Prayer  and  Thanksgiving I'H) 

Wisdom  in  Word  and  Work li)0 

Commendation  of  the  Messengers 19.  • 

Salutations  from  Friends 190 

Salutations  to  the  Laodiceans 191 

Autograph  Salutation   191 


xil  HIS  GREAT  APOSTLE 

lUttcr  to  pbilcTnon 

ThanksgiTing  for  Philemon ,. 192 

Commendation  of  the  Repentant  Slave 192 

Personal   Entreaty    193 

The  Hope  of  Release 193 

Salutations  from  Friends 193 

first  better  to  Cimotby 

The  Office  of  Timothy 194 

The   Purpose  of  a  Law ^yf 

Thanksgiving  for  Divine  Grace 19o 

A  Charge  and  a  Warning 195 

The  Scope  of  Public  Prayer 195 

The  Manner  of  Public  Prayer 196 

The  Office  of  Bishop 196 

The  Office  of  Deacon 197 

The  Church  and  the  Tluth 197 

Foolish    False    Teachings 198 

A   Good   Minister 198 

The   Minister's   Self-Respect 198 

The  Ministt^r  as  Pastor 199 

The  Care  of  Widows 199 

Reward  and  Reproof  of  Elders 200 

The  Duty  of  Slaves 200 

False  Teachers  and  Money  Lovers 201 

The   Sincere   Man  of  God 201 

The  Minister  and  the  Rich 202 

Final  Appeal   202 

Letter  to  Citus 

Appointment  of  Good  Elders 203 

The  Opponents  of  Truth .' 203 

Sober,   Righte<ius,  Godly  Life 204 

Living  by  God  s  Grace 205 

Christians  in  the  World 205 

Saved  by   God's   Love 205 

Foolish  and  Factious  Men 206 

Personal   Directions    206 

Salutations   206 

Second  lUtter  to  Zimothy 

Thanksgiving    •. 207 

Faithfulness  Through  Shame  and  Hardship Ml 

Dislovalty  and  Fidelity 208 

Examples  of  Faithfulness ^08 

The  Great  Incentive 209 

The   Minister's  Obligation 209 

Dangers  to  Be  Shunned 209 

The  Coming  of  Error ^10 

Security  of  the  Man  of  God 210 

The  Evangelistic  Ministry 211 

The  Passing  of  the  Leader 211 

Personal  Messages  -12 


1bt0  (Breat  Hpoetle- 


Saul  the  Persecutor. 

They  stoned  Stephen,  calling  upon  the  Lord,  and 
saying,  "Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit."  And  the 
witnesses  laid  down  their  garments  at  the  feet  of  a 
young  man  named  Saul.  And  Saul  was  consenting 
unto  his  death. 

And  there  arose  on  that  day  a  great  persecution 
against  the  church  that  was  in  Jerusalem;  and  they 
were  all  scattered  abroad  throughout  the  regions  of 
Judaea  and  Samaria,  except  the  apostles.  But  Saul 
laid  waste  the  Church,  entering  into  every  house,  and 
dragging  men  and  women  committed  them  to  prison. 

They,  therefore,  that  were  scattered  abroad  went 
everywhere  preaching  the  word. 

The  Conversion  of  Saul. 

But  Saul,  yet  breathing  threatening  and  slaughter 
against  the  disciples  of  the  Lord,  went  unto  the  high 
priest,  and  asked  of  him  letters  to  Damascus  unto  the 
synagogues,  that  if  he  found  any  that  were  of  the  Way, 
whether  men  or  women,  he  might  bring  them  bound 
to  Jerusalem. 

And  as  he  journeyed,  it  came  to  pass  that  he  drew 
nigh  unto  Damascus:  and  suddenly  there  shone  round 
about  him  a  light  out  of  heaven:  and  he  fell  upon  the 
earth,  and  heard  a  voice  saying  unto  him,  "Saul,  Saul, 
why  persecutest  thou  me?" 

And  he  said,  "Who  art  thou,  Lord?" 

And  he  said,    'I  am  Jesus  whom  thou   persecutest: 


Z  THE    CONVERSION  OF    SAUL 

but  rise,  and  enter  into  the  city,  and  it  shall  be  told 
thee  what  thou  must  do." 

And  the  men  that  journeyed  with  him  stood  speech- 
les§,  hearing  the  voice,  but  beholding  no  man.  And 
Saul  arose  from  the  earth;  and  when  his  eyes  were 
opened,  he  saw  nothing;  and  they  led  him  by  the  hand, 
and  brought  him  into  Damascus.  And  he  was  three 
days  without  sight,  and  did  neither  eat  nor  drink. 

Now  there  was  a  certain  disciple  at  Damascus, 
named  Ananias;  and  the  Lord  said  unto  him  in  a  vision, 
"Ananias. " 

And  he  said,  "Behold,  I  am  here.  Lord." 

x\nd  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  "Arise,  and  go  to  the 
street  which  is  called  Straight,  and  inquire  in  the  house 
of  Judas  for  one  named  Saul,  a  man  of  Tarsus:  for 
behold,  he  prayeth;  and  he  hath  seen  a  man  named 
Ananias  coming  in,  and  laying  his  hands  on  him,,  that 
he  might  receive  his  sight." 

But  Ananias  answered,  "Lord,  I  have  heard  from 
many  of  this  man,  how  much  evil  he  did  to  thy  saints 
at  Jerusalem:  and  here  he  hath  authority  from  the 
chief  priests  to  bind  all  that  call  upon  thy  name." 

But  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  "Go  thy  way:  for  he  is 
a  chosen  vessel  unto  me,  to  bear  my  name  before  the 
Gentiles  and  kings,  and  the  children  of  Israel:  for  I  will 
show  him  how  many  things  he  must  suffer  for  my 
name's  sake. " 

And  Ananias  departed,  and  entered  into  the  house; 
and  laying  his  hands  on  him  said,  "Brother  Saul,  the 
Lord,  even  Jesus,  who  appeared  unto  thee  in  the  way 
which  thou  earnest,  hath  sent  me,  that  thou  mayest 
receive  thy  sight,  and  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit.". 

And  straightway  there  fell  from  his  eyes  as  it  were 
scales,  and  he  received  his  sight;  and  he  arose  and  was 
baptized;  and  he  took  food  and  was  strengthened. 


saul  preaching  at  damascus  3 

Saul  Preaching  at  Damascus. 

And  he  was  certain  days  with  the  disciples  that  were 
at  Damascus.  And  straightway  in  the  synagogues  he 
proclaimed  Jesus,  that  he  is  the  Son  of  God. 

And  all  that  heard  him  were  amazed,  and  said,  "Is 
not  this  he  that  in  Jerusalem  made  havoc  of  them  that 
called  on  this  name?  and  he  had  come  hither  for  this 
intent,  that  he  might  bring  them  bound  before  the 
chief  priests. " 

But  Saul  increased  the  more  in  strength,  and  con- 
founded the  Jews  that  dwelt  at  Damascus,  proving 
that    this   is   the   Christ. 

And  when  many  days  were  fulfilled,  the  Jews  took 
counsel  together  to  kill  him:  but  their  plot  became 
known  to  Saul.  And  they  watched  the  gates  also  day 
and  night  that  they  might  kill  him:  but  his  disciples 
took  him  by  night,  and  let  him  down  through  the  wall, 
lowering  him  in  a  basket. 

Saul  and  the  Jerusalem  Church. 

And  when  he  was  come  to  Jerusalem,  he  assayed  to 
join  himself  to  the  disciples:  and  they  were  all  afraid  of 
him,  not  believing  that  he  was  a  disciple.  But  Bar- 
nabas took  him,  and  brought  him  to  the  apostles,  and 
declared  unto  them  how  he  had  seen  the  Lord  in  the 
way,  and  that  he  had  spoken  to  him,  and  how  at  Da- 
mascus he  had  preached  boldly  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 
And  he  was  with  them  going  in  and  going  out  at  Jeru- 
salem, preaching  boldly  in  the  name  of  the  Lord:  and 
he  spake  and  disputed  against  the  Grecian  Jews;  but 
they  were  seeking  to  kill  him.  And  when  the  brethren 
knew  it,  they  brought  him  down  to  Caesarea,  and  sent 
him  forth  to  Tarsus. 


4  the  christians     in  antioch 

"The  Christians"  in  Antioch. 

They  therefore  that  were  scattered  abroad  upon 
the  tribulation  that  arose  about  Stephen  travelled  as 
far  as  Phoenicia,  and  Cyprus,  and  Antioch,  speaking 
the  word  to  none  save  only  to  Jews.  But  there  were 
some  of  them,  men  of  Cyprus  and  Cyrene,  who,  when 
they  were  come  to  Antioch,  spake  unto  the  Greeks 
also,  preaching  the  Lord  Jesus.  And  the  hand  of  the 
Lord  was  with  them :  and  a  great  number  that  believed 
turned  unto  the  Lord. 

And  the  report  concerning  them  came  to  the  ears 
of  the  church  which  was  in  Jerusalem:  and  they  sent 
forth  Barnabas  as  far  as  Antioch:  who,  when  he  was 
come,  and  had  seen  the  grace  of  God,  was  glad;  and 
he  exhorted  them  all,  that  with  purpose  of  heart  they 
would  cleave  unto  the  Lord:  for  he  was  a  good  man, 
and  full  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  of  faith:  and  much 
people  was  added  unto  the  Lord. 

And  he  went  forth  to  Tarsus  to  seek  for  Saul;  and 
when  he  had  found  him,  he  brought  him  unto  Antioch. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  that  even  for  a  whole  year  they 
were  gathered  together  with  the  church,  and  taught 
much  people;  and  that  the  disciples  were  called 
Christians  first  in  Antioch. 

Now  in  these  days  there  came  down  prophets  from 
Jerusalem  unto  Antioch.  And  there  stood  up  one  of 
them  named  Agabus,  and  signified  by  the  Spirit  that 
there  should  be  a  great  famine  over  all  the  world :  which 
came  to  pass  in  the  days  of  Claudius.  And  the  disciples, 
every  man  according  to  his  ability,  determined  to  send 
relief  unto  the  brethren  that  dwelt  in  Judaea:  which 
also  they  did,  sending  it  to  the  elders  by  the  hand  of 
Barnabas  and  Saul. 

And  Barnabas  and    Saul  returned   from  Jerusalem, 


THE   MISSIONARY  IMPULSE  O 

when  they  had  fulfilled  their  ministration,  taking  with 
them  John  whose  surname  was  Mark. 

The  Missionary  Impulse. 

Now  there  were  at  Antioch,  in  the  church  that  was 
there,  prophets  and  teachers,  Barnabas,  and  Symeon 
that  was  called  Niger,  and  Lucius  of  Cyrene,  and 
Manaen  the  foster-brother  of  Herod  the  tetrarch,  and 
Saul.  And  as  they  ministered  to  the  Lord,  and  fasted, 
the  Holy  Spirit  said,  "Separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul 
for  the  work  whereunto  I  have  called  them." 

Then,  when  they  had  fasted  and  prayed  and  laid 
their  hands  on  them,  they  sent  them  away 

The  Beginning  in  Cyprus. 

So  they,  being  sent  forth  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  went 
down  to  Seleucia;  and  from  thence  they  sailed  to 
Cyprus.  And  when  they  were  at  Salamis,  they  pro- 
claimed the  word  of  God  in  the  synagogues  of  the 
Jews:  and  they  had  also  John  as  their  attendant. 

And  when  they  had  gone  through  the  whole  island 
unto  Paphos,  they  found  a  certain  sorcerer,  a  false 
prophet,  a  Jew,  whose  name  was  Bar-Jesus;  who  was 
with  the  proconsul,  Sergius  Paulus,  a  man  of  under- 
standing. The  same  called  unto  him  Barnabas  and 
Saul,  and  sought  to  hear  the  word  of  God. 

But  Elymas  the  sorcerer  (for  so  is  his  name  by  in- 
terpretation) withstood  them,  seeking  to  turn  aside 
the  proconsul  from  the  faith. 

Saul    Called  Paul. 

But  Saul,  who  is  also  called  Paul,  filled  with  the  Holy 
Spirit,  fastened  his  eyes  on  him,  and  said,  "O  full  of 
all  guile  and  all  villany,  thou  son  of  the  devil,  thou 
enemy  of  all  righteousness,  wilt  thou  not  cease  to  per- 


6  DEFECTION   OF  JOHN  MARK 

vert  the  right  ways  of  the  Lord?  And  now,  behold,  the 
hand  of  the  Lord  is  upon  thee,  and  thou  shalt  be  blind, 
not  seeing  the  sun  for  a  season." 

And  immediately  there  fell  on  him  a  mist  and  a 
dai*kness;  and  he  went  about  seeking  some  to  lead  him 
by  the  hand.  Then  the  proconsul,  when  he  saw  what 
was  done,  believed,  being  astonished  at  the  teaching 
of   the    Lord. 

Defection  of  John  Mark. 

Now  Paul  and  his  company  set  sail  from  Paphos, 
and  came  to  Perga  in  Pamphylia:  and  John  departed 
from  them  and  returned  to  Jerusalem. 

The  Gospel  in  Galatia. 

But  they,  passing  through  from  Perga,  came  to 
Antioch  of  Pisidia;  and  they  went  into  the  synagogue 
on  the  sabbath  day,  and  sat  down. 

And  after  the  reading  of  the  law  and  the  prophets 
the  rulers  of  the  synagogue  sent  unto  them,  saying, 
"Brethren,  if  ye  have  an}^  word  of  exhortation  for  the 
people,  say  on."  And  Paul  stood  up,  and  beckoning 
with  the  hand  said, 

"Men  of  Israel,  and  ye  that  fear  God,  hearken:  The 
God  of  this  people  Israel  chose  our  fathers,  and  exalted 
the  people  when  they  sojourned  in  the  land  of  Egp'yt, 
and  with  a  high  arm  led  he  them  forth  out  of  it.  And 
for  about  the  time  of  forty  years  as  a  nursingfather 
bare  he  them  in  the  wilderness. 

"And  when  he  had  destroyed  seven  nations  in  the  land 
of  Canaan,  he  gave  them  their  land  for  an  inheritance, 
for  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  years:  and  after  these 
things  he  gave  them  judges  until  Samuel  the  prophet. 
And  afterward  they  asked  for  a  king;  and  God  gave 


THE   GOSPEL  IN  GALATIA  I 

unto  them  Saul  the  son  of  Kish,  a  man  of  the  tribe  of 
Benjamin,  for  the  space  of  forty  years. 

"And  when  he  had  removed  him,  he  raised  up  David 
to  be  their  king;  to  whom  also  he  bare  witness  and  said, 
*I  have  found  David  the  son  of  Jesse,  a  man  after  my 
heart,  who  shall  do  all  my  will.' 

"Of  this  man's  seed  hath  God  according  to  promise 
brought  unto  Israel  a  Saviour,  Jesus;  when  John  had 
first  preached  before  his  coming  the  baptism  of  re- 
pentance to  all  the  people  of  Israel.  And  as  John  was 
fulfilling  his  cgurse,  he  said,  '  What  suppose  ye  that  I 
am?  I  am  not  he.  But  behold,  there  cometh  one 
after  me  the  shoes  of  whose  feet  I  am  not  worthy  to 
unloose. ' 

"Brethren,  children  of  the  stock  of  Abraham,  and 
those  among  you  that  fear  God,  to  us  is  the  word  of 
this  salvation  sent  forth.  For  they  that  dwell  in  Je- 
rusalem, and  their  rulers,  because  they  knew  him  not, 
nor  the  voices  of  the  prophets  which  are  read  every 
sabbath,  fulfilled  them  by  condemning  him.  And 
though  they  found  no  cause  of  death  in  him,  yet  asked 
they  of  Pilate  that  he  should  be  slain.  And  when  they 
had  fulfilled  all  things  that  were  written  of  him,  they 
took  him  down  from  the  tree,  and  laid  him  in  a  tomb. 
But  God  raised  him  from  the  dead:  and  he  was  seen 
for  many  days  of  them  that  came  up  with  him  from 
Galilee  to  Jerusalem,  who  are  now  his  witnesses  unto 
the  people. 

"And  we  bring  you  good  tidings  of  the  promise  made 
unto  the  fathers,  that  God  hath  fulfilled  the  same  unto 
our  children,  in  that  he  raised  up  Jesus;  as  also  it  is 
written  in  the  second  psalm,  'Thou  art  my  Son,  this 
day  have  I  begotten  thee. ' 

"And  as  concerning  that  he  raised  him  up  from  the 
dead,  now  no  more  to  return  to  corruption,  he  hath 


8  THE  EFFECT  OF  PAUL's  SERMON 

spoken  on  this  wise,  'I  will  give  you  the  holy  and  sure 
blessings  of  David.'  Because  he  saith  also  in  another 
psalm,  'Thou  wilt  not  give  thy  Holy  One  to  see  cor- 
ruption.' For  David,  after  he  had  in  his  own  gen- 
eration served  the  counsel  of  God,  fell  asleep,  and  was 
laid  unto  his  fathers,  and  saw  corruption:  but  he 
whom  God  raised  up  saw  no  corruption. 

"Be  it  known  unto  you  therefore,  brethren,  that 
through  this  man  is  proclaimed  unto  you  remission  of 
sins:  and  by  him  e-^^ery  one  that  believeth  is  justified 
from  all  things,  from  which  ye  could  not  be  justified 
by  the  law  of  Moses. 

"Beware  therefore,  lest  that  come  upon  you  which 
is  spoken  in  the  prophets: 

'Behold,  ye  despisers,  and  wonder,  and  perish; 
For  I  work  a  work  in  your  days, 
A  work  which  ye  shall, in  no  wise  believe,  if  one 
declare  it  unto  you.'" 

The  Effect  of  Paul's  Sermon. 

And  as  they  went  out,  they  besought  that  these 
words  might  be  spoken  to  them  the  next  sabbath. 
Now  when  the  synagogue  broke  up,  many  of  the  Jews 
and  of  the  devout  proselytes  followed  Paul  and  Barna- 
bas; who,  speaking  to  them,  urged  them  to  continue  in 
the  grace  of  God 

Jewish  Hostility. 

And  the  next  sabbath  almost  the  whole  city  was 
gathered  together  to  hear  the  word  of  God.  But  when 
the  Jews  saw  the  multitudes,  they  were  filled  with 
jealousy,  and  contradicted  the  things  which  were 
spoken  by  Paul,  and  blasphemed. 

And  Paul  and  Barnabas  spake  out  boldly,  and  said, 
"It  was  necessary  that  the  word  of  God  should  first 
be  spoken  to  you.     Seeing  ye  thrust  it  from  you,  and 


PREACHING  AND  PERSECUTION  IN  ICONIUM  9 

judge  yourselves  unworthy  of  eternal  life,  lo,  we  turn 
to  the  Gentiles.  For  so  hath  the  Lord  commanded 
us,  saying, 

'I  have  set  thee  for  a  light  of  the  Gentiles, 
That  thou  shouldest  be  for  salvation  unto  the 
uttermost  part  of  the  earth.'  ". 

And  as  the  Gentiles  heard  this,  they  were  glad,  and 
glorified  the  word  of  God:  and  as ^ many  as  were  or- 
dained to  eternal  life  believed.  And  the  word  of  the 
Lord  was  spread  abroad  throughout  all  the  region. 

But  the  Jews  urged  on  the  devout  women  of  honor- 
able estate,  and  the  chief  men  of  the  city,  and  stirred 
up  a  persecution  against  Paul  and  Barnabas,  and  cast 
them  out  of  their  borders. 

But  they  shook  off  the  dust  of  their  feet  against 
them,  and  came  unto  Iconium.  And  the  disciples 
were  filled  with  joy  and  with  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Preaching  and  Persecution  in  Iconium. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  Iconium  that  they  entered 
together  into  the  synagogue  of  the  Jews,  and  so  spake 
that  a  great  multitude  both  of  Jews  and  of  Greeks 
believed.  But  the  Jews  that  were  disobedient  stirred 
up  the  souls  of  the  Gentiles,  and  made  them  evil 
affected  against  the  brethren.  Long  time  therefore 
they  tarried  there  speaking  boldly  in  the  Lord,  who 
bare  witness  unto  the  word  of  his  grace,  granting  signs 
and  wonders  to  be  done  by  their  hands. 

But  the  multitude  of  the  city  was  divided;  and  part 
held  with  the  Jews,  and  part  with  the  apostles.  And 
when  there  was  made  an  onset  both  of  the  Gentiles  and 
of  the  Jews  with  their  rulers,  to  treat  them  shamefully 
and  to  stone  them,  they  became  aware  of  it,  and  fled 
unto  the  cities  of  Lycaonia,  Lystra  and  Derbe,  and  the 


10  THE   MIRACLE   AT  LYSTRIA 

region   round   about:    and    there    they    preached    the 
gospel. 

The  Miracle  at  Lystra. 

And  at  Lystra  there  sat  a  certain  man,  impotent 
in  his  feet,  a  cripple  from  his  mother's  womb,  who 
never  had  walked.  The  same  heard  Paul  speaking: 
who,  fastening  his  eyes  upon  him,  and  seeing  that  he 
had  faith  to  be  made  whole,  said  with  a  loud  voice, 
"Stand  upright  on  thy  feet."  And  he  leaped  up  and 
walked. 

The  Apostles  Taken  for  Gods. 

And  when  the  multitude  saw  what  Paul  had  done, 
they  lifted  up  their  voice,  saying  in  the  speech  of 
Lycaonia,  "The  gods  are  come  down  to  us  in  the  like- 
ness of  men. " 

And  they  called  Barnabas,  Jupiter;  and  Paul,  Mer- 
cury, because  he  was  the  chief  speaker.  And  the 
priest  of  Jupiter  whose  temple  was  before  the  city, 
brought  oxen  and  garlands  unto  the  gates,  and  would 
have  done  sacrifice  with  the  multitudes. 

But  when  the  apostles,  Barnabas  and  Paul,  heard 
of  it,  they  rent  their  garments,  and  sprang  forth  among 
the  multitude,  crying  out  and  saying,  "Sirs,  why  do  ye 
these  things?  We  also  are  men  of  like  passions  with 
you,  and  bring  you  good  tidings,  that  ye  should  turn 
from  these  vain  things  unto  a  living  God,  who  made 
the  heaven  and  the  earth  and  the  sea,  and  all  that  in 
them  is:  who  in  the  generations  gone  by  suffered  all 
the  nations  to  walk  in  their  own  ways. 

"And  yet  he  left  not  himself  without  witness,  in  that 
he  did  good  and  gave  you  from  heaven  rains  and  fruit- 
ful seasons,  filling  your  hearts  with  food  and  gladness." 

And  with  these  sayings  scarce  restrained  they  the 
multitudes  from  doing  sacrifice  unto  them. 


paul  stoned  11 

Paul  Stoned. 

But  there  came  Jews  thither  from  Antioch  and 
Iconium:  and  having  persuaded  the  multitudes,  they 
stoned  Paul,  and  dragged  him  out  of  the  city,  supposing 
that  he  was  dead. 

But  as  the  disciples  stood  round  about  him,  he  rose 
up,  and  entered  into  the  city:  and  on  the  morrow  he 
went  forth  with  Barnabas  to   Derbe. 

The  Galatian  Churches. 

And  when  they  had  preached  the  gospel  to  that 
city,  and  had  made  many  disciples,  they  returned  to 
Lystra,  and  to  Iconium,  and  to  Antioch,  confirming 
the  souls  of  the  disciples,  exhorting  them  to  continue 
in  the  faith,  and  that  through  many  tribulations  we 
must  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.  And  when  they 
had  appointed  for  them  elders  in  every  church,  and  had 
prayed  with  fasting,  they  commended  them  to  the 
Lord,  on  whom  they  had  believed. 

And  they  passed  through  Pisidia,  and  came  to  Pam- 
phylia. 

Return  from  the  First  Journey. 

And  when  they  had  spoken  the  word  in  Perga,  they 
went  down  to  Attalia. 

And  thence  they  sailed  to  Antioch,  from  whence  they 
had  been  committed  to  the  grace  of  God  for  the  work 
which  they  had  fulfilled.  And  when  they  were  come, 
and  had  gathered  the  church  together,  they  rehearsed 
all  things  that  God  had  done  with  them,  and  that  he 
had  opened  a  door  of  faith  unto  the  Gentiles.  And 
they  tarried  no  little  time  with  the  disciples. 

Trouble  with  the  Judaizers. 
And  certain  men  came  down  from  Judasa  and  taught 


12  >  THE  COUNCIL  AT  JERUSALEM 

the  brethren,  saying,  "Except  ye  be  circumcised  after 
the  custom  of  Moses,  ye  cannot  be  saved.  " 

And  when  Paul  and  Barnabas  had  no  small  dissen- 
tion  and  questioning  with  them  the  brethren  appoint- 
ed that  Paul  and  Barnabas,  and  certain  other  of  them, 
should  go  up  to  Jerusalem  unto  the  apostles  and  elders 
about  this  question. 

They  therefore,  being  brought  on  their  way  by  the 
church,  passed  through  both  Phoenicia  and  Samaria, 
declaring  the  conversion  of  the  Gentiles:  and  they 
caused  great  joy  unto  all  the  brethren.  And  when 
they  were  come  to  Jerusalem,  they  were  received  of 
the  church  and  the  apostles  and  the  elders,  and  they 
rehearsed  all  things  that  God  had  done  with  them. 

But  there  rose  up  certain  of  the  sect  of  the  Pharisees 
who  believed,  saying,  "It  is  needful  to  circumcise 
them,  and  to  charge  them  to  keep  the  law  of  Moses. '! 

The  Council  at  Jerusalem. 

And  the  apostles  and  the  elders  were  gathered 
together  to  consider  of  this  matter.  And  when  there 
had  been  much  questioning,  Peter  rose  up,  and  said 
vunto  them, 

"Brethren,  ye  know  that  a  good  while  ago  God 
made  choice  among  you,  that  by  my  mouth  the  Gen- 
tiles should  hear  the  word  of  the  gospel,  and  believe. 
And  God,  who  knoweth  the  heart,  bare  them  witness, 
givmg  them  the  Holy  Spirit,  even  as  he  did  unto  us; 
and  he  made  no  distinction  between  us  and  them, 
cleansing    their    hearts    by    faith. 

"Now  therefore  why  make  ye  trial  of  God,  that  ye 
should  put  a  yoke  upon  the  neck  of  the  disciples  which 
neither  our  fathers  nor  we  were  al)le  to  bear?  But 
we  believe  that  we  shall  be  saved  through  the  grace  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  in  like  manner  as  they.". 


'  THE  DECISION   OF  THE   COUNCIL  13 

And  all  the  multitude  kept  silence;  and  they  heark- 
ened unto  Barnabas  and  Paul  rehearsing  what  signs 
and  wonders  God  had  wrought  among  the  Gentiles 
through  them. 

And  after  they  had  held  their  peace,  James  answered, 
saying, 

"Brethren,  hearken  unto  me:  Symeon  hath  rehearsed 
how  first  God  visited  the  Gentiles,  to  take  out  of  them 
a  people  for  his  name.  And  to  this  agree  the  words 
of  the  prophets;  as  it  is  written, 

'After  these  things  I  will  return, 
And  I  will  build  again  the  tabernacle  of  David, 

which  is  fallen; 
And  I  will  build  again  the  ruins  thereof, 
And  I  will  set  it  up : 

That  the  residue  of  men  may  seek  after  the  Lord, 
And  all  the  Gentiles,   upon  whom  my  name  is 

called, 
Saith  the  Lord,  who  maketh  these  things  known 

from  of  old.' 

"Wherefore  my  judgment  is,  that  we  trouble  not 
them  that  from  among  the  Gentiles  turn  to  God;  but 
that  we  write  unto  them,  that  they  abstain  from  the 
pollutions  of  idols,  and  from  fornication,  and  from 
what  is  strangled,  and  from  blood.  For  Moses  from 
generations  of  old  hath  in  every  city  them  that  preach 
him,  being  read  in  the  synagogues  every    sabbath.'' 

The  Decision  of  the  Council. 

Then  it  seemed  good  to  the  apostles  and  the  elders, 
with  the  whole  church,  to  choose  men  out  of  their 
company,  and  send  them  to  Antioch  with  Paul  and 
Barnabas;  namely,  Judas  called  Barsabbas,  and  Silas, 
chief  men  among  the  brethren :  and  they  wrote  thus  by 
them, 

"The   apostles  and  the  elders,   brethren,   unto  the 


14  SATISFACTION  IN  ANTIOCH  ♦ 

brethren  who  are  of  the  Gentiles  in  Antioch  and  Syria 
and  Cilicia,  greeting: 

"Forasmuch  as  we  have  heard  that  certain  who 
went  out  from  us  have  troubled  you  with  words,  sub- 
verting your  souls ;  to  whom  we  gave  no  commandment ; 
it  seemed  good  imto  us,  having  come  to  one  accord,  to 
choose  out  men  and  send  them  unto  you  with  our  be- 
loved Barnabas  and  Paul,  men  that  have  hazarded 
their  lives  for  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
We  have  sent'  therefore  Judas  and  Silas,  who  them- 
selves also  shall  tell  you  the  same  things  by  word  of 
mouth. 

"For  it  seemed  good  to  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  to  us, 
to  lay  upon  you  no  greater  burden  than  these  necessary 
things:  that  ye  abstain  from  things  sacrificed  to  idols, 
and  from  blood,  and  from  things  strangled,  and  from 
fornication;  from  which  if  ye  keep  yourselves,  it  shall 
be  well  with  you.     Fare  ye  well. " 

Satisfaction  in  Antioch. 

So  they,  when  they  were  dismissed,  came  down  to 
Antioch;  and  having  gathered  the  multitude  together, 
they  delivered  the  epistle.  And  when  they  had  read 
it,   they  rejoiced  for  the  consolation. 

And  Judas  and  Silas,  being  themselves  also  prophets, 
exhorted  ,the  brethren  with  many  words,  and  con- 
firmed them.  And  after  they  had  spent  some  time 
there,  they  were  dismissed  in  peace  from  the  brethren 
unto  those  that  had  sent  them  forth.  But  Paul  and 
Barnabas  tarried  in  Antioch,  teaching  and  preaching 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  with  many  others  also. 

The  Second  Journey. 

And  after  some  days  Paul  said  unto  Barnabas,  "Let 
us  return  now  and  visit  the  brethren  in  every  city 


PAUL,  SILAS  AND  TIMOTHY  15 

wherein  we  proclaimed  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  see 
how  they  fare." 

And  Barnabas  was  minded  to  take  with  them  John 
also,  who  was  called  Mark.  But  Paul  thought  not 
good  to  take  with  them  him  who  withdrew  from  them 
from  Pamphylia,  and  went  not  with  them  to  the  work. 
And  there  arose  a  sharp  contention,  so  that  they  parted 
asunder  one  from  the  other,  and  Barnabas  took  Mark 
with  him,  and  sailed  away  unto  Cyprus. 

Paul,  Silas  and  Timothy. 

But  Paul  chose  Silas,  and  went  forth,  being  com- 
mended by  the  brethren  to  the  grace  of  the  Lord.  And 
he  went  through  Syria  and  Cihcia,  confirming  the 
churches. 

And  he  came  also  to  Derbe  and  to  Lystra :  and  behold, 
a  certain  disciple  was  there,  named  Timothy,  the  son 
of  a  Jewess  that  believed;  but  his  father  was  a  Greek. 
The  same  was  well  reported  of  by  the  brethren  that 
were  at  Lystra  and  Iconium.  Him  would  Paul  have 
to  go  forth  with  him ;  and  he  took  and  circumcised  him 
because  of  the  Jews  that  were  in  those  parts:  for  they 
all  knew  that  his  father  was  a  Greek.  And  as  they 
went  on  their  way  through  the  cities,  they  delivered 
them  the  decrees  to  keep  which  had  been  ordained  of 
the  apostles  and  elders  that  were  at  Jerusalem.  So  the 
churches  were  strengthened  in  the  faith,  and  increased 
in  number  daily. 

Spiritual  Leading  to  Macedonia. 

And  they  went  through  the  region  of  Phrygia  and 
Galatia,  having  been  forbidden  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
speak  the  word  in  Asia ;  and  when  they  were  come  over 
against  Mysia,  they  assayed  to  go  into  Bithynia;  and 


16  LUKE  JOINS  THE  MISSIONARIES 

the  Spirit  of  Jesus  suffered  them  not;  and  passing  by 
Mysia,   they  came   down  to   Troas. 

And  a  vision  appeared  to  Paul  in  the  night:  There 
was  a  man  of  Macedonia  standing,  beseeching  him,  and 
saying,  "Come  over  into  Macedonia,  and  help  us.  " 

Luke  Joins  the  Missionaries. 

And  when  he  had  seen  the  vision,  straightway  we 
sought  to  go  forth  into  Macedonia,  concluding  that 
God  had  called  us  to  preach  the  gospel  unto  them. 

Setting  sail  therefore  from  Troas,  we  made  a  straight 
course  to  Samothrace,  and  the  day  following  to  Neapo- 
lis;  and  from  thence  to  Philippi,  which  is  a  city  of 
Macedonia,  the  first  of  the  district,  a  Roman  colony; 
and  we  were  in  this  city  tarrying  certain  days. 

Preaching  in  Philippi. 

And  on  the  sabbath  day  we  went  forth  without  the 
gate  by  a  river  side,  where  we  supposed  there  was  a 
place  of  prayer;  and  we  sat  down,  and  spake  unto  the 
women  that  were  come  together.  And  a  certain 
woman  named  Lydia,  a  seller  of  purple,  of  the  eity  of 
Thyatira,  one  that  worshipped  God,  heard  us:  whose 
heart  the  Lord  opened  to  give  heed  unto  the  things 
which  were  spoken  by  Paul. 

And  when  she  was  baptized,  and  her  household, 
she  besought  us,  saying,  "If  ye  have  judged  me  to  be 
faithful  to  the  Lord,  come  into  my  house,  and  abide 
there."     And    she    constrained    us. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  as  we  were  going  to  the  place  of 
prayer,  that  a  certain  maid  having  a  spirit  of  divina- 
tion met  us,  who  brought  her  masters  much  gain  by 
soothsaying.  The  same  following  after  Paul  and  us 
cried  out,  saying,  "These  men  are  servants  of  the  Most 


PAUL  AND  SILAS  IN   PRISON  17 

High  God,  who  proclaim  unto  you  the  way  of  salva- 
tion. "     And  this  she  did  for  many  days. 

But  Paul,  being  sore  troubled,  turned  and  said  to 
the  spirit,  "I  charge  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ 
to  come  out  of  her. "  And  it  came  out  that  very 
hour. 

Paul  and  Silas  in  Prison. 

But  when  her  masters  saw  that  the  hope  of  their 
gain  was  gone,  they  laid  hold  on  Paul  and  Silas,  and 
dragged  them  into  the  marketplace  before  the  rulers, 
and  when  they  had  brought  them  unto  the  magistrates, 
they  said,  "These  men,  being  Jews,  do  exceedingly 
trouble  our  city,  and  set  forth  customs  which  it  is  not 
lawful  for  us  to  receive,  or  to  observe,  being  Romans.  " 

And  the  multitude  rose  up  together  against  them: 
and  the  magistrates  rent  their  garments  off  them,  and 
commanded  to  beat  them  with  rods.  And  when 
they  had  laid  many  stripes  upon  them,  they  cast  them 
into  prison,  charging  the  jailor  to  keep  them  safely: 
who,  having  received  such  a  charge,  cast  them  into  the 
inner  prison,  and  made  their  feet  fast  in  the  stocks. 

But  about  midnight  Paul  and  Silas  were  praying  and 
singing  hymns* unto  God,  and  the  prisoners  were  listen- 
ing to  them;  and  suddenly  there  was  a  great  earthquake, 
so  that  the  foundations  of  the  prison-house  were 
shaken:  and  immediately  all  the  doors  were  opened; 
and  every  one's  bands  were  loosed. 

And  the  jailor,  being  roused  out  of  sleep  and  seeing 
the  prison  doors  open^  drew  his  sword  and  was  about 
to  kill  himself,  supposing  that  the  prisoners  had  es- 
caped. 

But  Paul  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying,  "Do  thy- 
self no  harm:  for  we  are  all  here." 

And  he  called  for  lights  and  sprang  in,  and,  trembling 
for   fear,  fell  down  before  Paul  and  Silas,  and  brought 


18     FOUNDING  OF  THE  THESSALONIAN  CHURCH 

them  out  and  said,  "Sirs,  what  must  I  do  to  be  saved? " 

And  they  said,  "Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  thou 
shalt  be  saved,  thou  and  thy  house."  And  they 
spake  the  word  of  the  Lord  unto  him,  with  all  that 
were  in  his  house. 

And  he  took  them  the  same  hour  of  the  night,  and 
washed  their  stripes;  and  was  baptized,  he  and  all  his, 
immediately.  And  he  brought  them  up  into  his  house, 
and  set  food  before  them,  and  rejoiced  greatly,  with 
all  his  house,  having  believed  in  God. 

But  when  it  was  day,  the  magistrates  sent  the  Ser- 
jeants, saying,  "Let  those  men  go."  And  the  jailor 
reported  the  words  to  Paul,  saying,  "The  magistrates 
have  sent  to  let  you  go :  now  therefore  come  forth,  and 
go  in  peace. " 

But  Paul  said  unto  them,  "They  have  beaten  us 
publicly,  uncondemned,  men  that  are  Romans,  and 
have  cast  us  into  prison;  and  do  they  now  cast  us  out 
privily?  nay  verily;  but  let  them  come  themselves  and 
bring  us  out. " 

And  the  Serjeants  reported  these  words  unto  the 
magistrates:  and  they  feared  when  they  heard  that 
they  were  Romans;  and  they  came  and  besought  them; 
and  when  they  had  brought  them  out,  they  asked 
them  to  go  away  from  the -city. 

And  they  went  out  of  the  prison,  and  entered  into 
the  house  of  Lydia:  and  when  they  had  seen  the  breth- 
ren, they  comforted  them,  and  departed. 

Founding  of  the  Thessalonian  Church. 

Now  when  they  had  passed  through  Amphipolis  and 
Apollonia,  they  came  to  Thessalonica,  where  was  a 
synagogue  of  the  Jews:  and  "Paul,  as  his  custom  was, 
went  in  imto  them,  and  for  three  sabbath  days  reasoned 
with  them  from  the  scriptures,  opening  and  alleging 


JEWISH   HOSTILITY  19 

that  it  behooved  the  Christ  to  suffer,  and  to  rise  again 
from  the  dead;  and  that  this  Jesus,  "whom, "  said  he, 
"I  proclaim  unto  you,' '  is  the  Christ. 

And  some  of  them  were  persuaded,  and  consorted 
with  Paul  and  Silas;  and  of  the  devout  Greeks  a  great 
multitude,  and  of  the  chief  women  not  a  few. 

Jewish  Hostility. 

But  the  Jews,  being  moved  with  jealousy,  took  unto 
them  certain  vile  fellows  of  the  rabble,  and  gathering 
a  crowd,  set  the  city  on  an  uproar;  and  assaulting  the 
house  of  Jason,  they  sought  to  bring  them  forth  to  the 
people.  And  when  they  found  them  not,  they  dragged 
Jason  and  certain  brethren  before  the  rulers  of  the 
city,  crying,  "These  that  have  turned  the  world  upside 
down  are  come  hither  also ;  whom  Jason  hath  received  : 
and  these  all  act  contrary  to  the  decrees  of  Caesar, 
saying  that  there  is  another  king,  one  Jesus.  " 

And  they  troubled  the  multitude  and  the  rulers  of 
the  city,  when  they  heard  these  things.  And  when 
they  had  taken  security  from  Jason  and  the  rest,  they 
let  them  go. 

Fruitful  Ministry  in  Bercea. 

And  the  brethren  immediately  sent  away  Paul  and 
Silas  by  night  unto  Bercea:  who  when  they  were  come 
thither  went  into  the  synagogue  of  the  Jews. 

Now  these  were  more  noble  than  those  in  Thessa- 
lonica,  in  that  they  received  the  word  with  all  readiness 
of  mind,  examining  the  scriptures  daily,  whether 
these  things  were  so.  Many  of  them  therefore  believed ; 
also  of  the  Greek  women  of  honorable  estate,  and  of 
men,  not  a  few. 

But  when  the  Jews  of  Thessalonica  had  knowledge 
that   the   word   of    God   was    proclaimed    of    Paul   at 


20  PAUL  ALONE  IN  ATHENS 

Beroea  also,  they  came  thither  likewise,  stirring  up 
and  troubling  the  multitudes.  And  then  immediately 
the  brethren  set  forth  Paul  to  go  as  far  as  to  the  sea: 
and  Silas  and  Timothy  abode  there  still.  But  they 
that  conducted  Paul  brought  him  as  far  as  Athens: 
and  receiving  a  commandment  unto  Silas  and  Tim- 
othy that  they  should  come  to  him  with  all  speed, 
they  departed. 

Paul  alone  in  Athens. 

Now  while  Paul  waited  for  them  at  Athens,  his 
spirit  was  provoked  within  him  as  he  beheld  the  city 
full  of  idols.  So  he  reasoned  in  the  synagogue  with 
the  Jews  and  the  devout  persons,  and  in  the  market- 
place every  day  with  them  that  met  him. 

And  certain  also  of  the  Epicurean  and  Stoic  phi- 
losophers encountered  him. 

And  some  said,  "What  would  this  babbler  say?" 
others,  "He  seemeth  to  be  a  setter  forth  of  strange 
gods:"  because  he  preached  Jesus  and  the  resurrection. 

And  they  took  hold  of  him,  and  brought  him  unto 
the  Areopagus,  saying,  "May  we  know  what  this  new" 
teaching  is,  which  is  spoken  by  thee?  For  thou  bring- 
est  certain  strange  things  to  our  ears:  we  would  know 
therefore  what  these  things  mean." 

(Now  all  the  Athenians  and  the  strangers  sojourning 
there  spent  their  time  in  nothing  else,  but  either  to 
tell  or  to  hear  some  new  thing.) 

And  Paul  stood  in  the  midst  of  the  Areopagus,  and 
said, 

"Ye  men  of  Athens,  in  all  things  I  perceive  that  ye 
are  very  religious.  For  as  I  passed  along,  and  ob- 
served the  objects  of  your  worship,  I  found  also  an 
altar   with    this   inscription,    To    an    Unknown    God. 


PAUL  ALONE  IN  ATHENS  21 

What  therefore  ye  worship  in  ignorance,  this  I  set 
forth  unto  you. 

"The  God  that  made  the  world  and  all  things  therein, 
he,  being  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  dwelleth  not  in 
temples  made  with  hands;  neither  is  he  served  by 
men's  hands,  as  though  he  needed  anything,  seeing 
he  himself  giveth  to  all  life,  and  breath,  and  all  things; 
and  he  made  of  one  every  nation  of  men  to  dwell  on 
all  the  face  of  the  earth,  having  determined  their  ap- 
pointed seasons,  and  the  bounds  of  their  habitation; 
that  they  should  seek  God,  if  haply  the}^  might  feel 
after  him  and  find  him,  though  he  is  not  far  from  each 
one  of  us:  for  in  him  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our 
being;  as  certain  even  of  your  own  poets  have  said. 
'For  we  are  also  his  offspring.' 

"Being  then  the  offspring  of  God,  we  ought  not  to 
think  that  the  Godhead  is  like  unto  gold,  or  silver  or 
stone,  graven  by  art  and  device  of  man. 

"The  times  of  ignorance  therefore  God  overlooked; 
but  now  he  commandeth  men  that  they  should  all 
everywhere  repent:  inasmuch  as  he  hath  appointed  a 
^day  in  which  he  Avill  judge  the  world  in  righteousness 
by  the  man  whom  he  hath  ordained;  whereof  he  hath 
given  assurance  unto  all  men,  in  that  he  hath  raised 
him  from  the  dead.  " 

Now  when  they  heard  of  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  some  mocked;  but  others  said,  "We  will  hear 
thee  concerning  this  yet  again." 

Thus  Paul  went  out  from  among  them.  But  certain 
men  clave  unto  him,  and  believed:  among  whom  also 
was  Dionysius  the  Areopagite,  and  a  woman  named 
Damaris,   and  others  with  them. 


22  in  corinth  with  aquila  and  priscilla 

In  Corinth  with  Aquila  and  Priscilla. 

After  these  things  he  departed  from  Athens,  and 
came  to  Corinth. 

And  he  found  a  certain  Jew  named  Aquila,  a  man 
of  Pontus  by  race,  lately  come  from  Italy,  with  his 
wife  Priscilla,  because  Claudius  had  commanded  all 
the  Jews  to  depart  from  Rome:  and  he  came  unto 
them;  and  because  he  was  of  the  same  trade,  he  abode 
with  them,  and  they  wrought;  for  by  their  trade  they 
were  tentmakers.  And  he  reasoned  in  the  synagogue 
every  sabbath,  and  persuaded  Jews  and  Greeks 

Silas  and  Timothy  in  Corinth. 

But  when  Silas  and  Timothy  came  down  from 
Macedonia,  Paul  was  constrained  by  the  word,  tes- 
tifying to  the  Jews  that  Jesus  was  the  Christ. 

And  when  they  opposed  themselves  and  blasphemed, 
he  shook  out  his  raiment  and  said  unto  them,  "Your 
blood  be   upon   your  own  heads;   I   am   clean:   from, 
henceforth  I  will  go  unto  the  Gentiles." 

And  he  departed  thence,  and  went  into  the  house 
of  a  certain  man  named  Titus  Justus,  one  that  wor- 
shipped God,  whose  house  joined  hard  to  the  syna- 
gogue. And  Crispus,  the  ruler  of  the  synagogue, 
believed  in  the  Lord  with  all  his  house;  and  many  of 
the  Corinthians  hearing  believed,  and  were  baptized. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Paul  in  the  night  by  a  vision, 
"Be  not  afraid,  but  speak  and  hold  not  thy  peace: 
for  I  am  with  thee,  and  no  man  shall  set  on  thee  to 
harm   thee:   for    I    have   much    people   in   this    city." 

And  he  dwelt  there  a  year  and  six  months,  teaching 
the  word  of  God  among  them. 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  THESSALONIANS.* 

PAUL  AND  SILVANUS  AND  TIMOTHY  UNTO  THE  CHURCH 
OF  THE  THESSALONIANS  IN  GOD  THE  FATHER  AND 
THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST.      GRACE  TO  YOU  AND  PEACE. 

A  Grateful  Remembrance. 

We  give  thanks  to  God  always  for  you  all,  making 
mention  of  you  in  our  prayers;  remembering  without 
ceasing  your  work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love  and  pa- 
tience of  hope  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  before  our 
God  and  Father;  knowing,  brethren  beloved  of  God, 
your  election,  how  that  our  gospel  came  not  unto  you 
in  word  only,  but  also  in  power,  and  in  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  in  much  assurance ;  even  as  ye  know  what  manner 
of  men  we  showed  ourselves  toward  you  for  your  sake. 

The  Influence  of  the  Church. 

And  ye  became  imitators  of  us,  and  of  the  Lord, 
having  received  the  word  in  much  affliction,  with  joy 
of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  so  that  ye  became  an  ensample  to  all 
that  believe  in  Macedonia  and  in  Achaia.  For  from 
you  hath  sounded  forth  the  word  of  the  Lord,  not  only 
in  Macedonia  and  Achaia,  but  in  every  place  your 
faith  to  God-ward  is  gone  forth ;  so  that  we  need  not  to 
speak  anything.  For  they  themselves  report  concern- 
ing us  what  manner  of  entering  in  we  had  unto  you; 
and  how  ye  turned  unto  God  from  idols,  to  serve  a 
living  and  true  God,  and  to  wait  for  his  Son  from 
heaven,  whom  he  raised  from  the  dead,  even  Jesus, 
who  delivereth  us  from  the  wrath  to  come. 


(^)This  letter  was  probably  sent   to  Thessalonica  from  Corinth 
after  Silas  (Si'.vanus)  and  Tinaothy  had  rejoined  Paul  there. 

23 


24  the  faithfulness  of  the  apostles 

The  Faithfulness  of  the  Apostles. 

For  yourselves,  brethren,  know  our  entering  in  unto 
you,  that  it  hath  not  been  found  vain:  but  having 
suffered  before  and  been  shamefully  treated,  as  ye 
know,  at  Philippi,  we  waxed  bold  in  our  God  to  speak 
unto  you  the  gospel  of  God  in  much  conflict.  For 
our  exhortation  is  not  of  error,  nor  of  uncleanness, 
nor  in  guile:  but  even  as  we  have  been  approved  of 
God  to  be  intrusted  with  the  gospel,  so  we  speak;  not 
as  pleasing  men,  but  God  who  proveth  our  hearts. 

For  neither  at  any  time  were  we  found  using  words 
of  flattery,  as  ye  know,  nor  a  cloak  of  covetousness, 
God  is  witness;  nor  seeking  glory  of  men,  neither  from 
you  nor  from  others,  when  we  might  have  claimed 
authority  as  apostles  of  Christ.  But  we  were  gentle 
in  the  midst  of  you,  as  when  a  nurse  cherisheth  her 
own  children:  even  so,  being  affectionately  desirous 
of  you,  we  were  well  pleased  to  impart  unto  you,  not 
the  gospel  of  God  only,  but  also  our  own  souls,  because 
ye  were  become  very  dear  to  us. 

For  ye  remember,  brethren,  our  labor  and  travail: 
working  night  and  day,  that  we  might  not  burden  any 
of  you,  we  preached  unto  you  the  gospel  of  God.  Ye 
are  witnesses,  and  God  also,  how  holily  and  righteously 
and  unblamably  we  behaved  ourselves  toward  you 
that  believe:  as  ye  know  how  we  dealt  with  each  one 
of  you,  as  a  father  with  his  own  children,  exhorting 
you,  and  encouraging  you,  and  testifying,  to  the  end 
that  ye  should  walk  worthily  of  God,  who  calleth  you 
into  his  own  kingdom  and  glory. 

The  Responsiveness  of  the  Church. 

And  for  this  cause  we  also  thank  God  without  ceasing, 
that,  when  ye  received  from  us  the  word  of  the  mes- 
sage, even  the  word  of  God,  ye  accepted  it  not  as  the 


Paul's  enforced  absence  25 

word  of  men,  but,  as  it  is  in  truth,  the  word  of  God, 
which  also  worketh  in  you  that  beHeve.  For  ye, 
brethren,  became  imitators  of  the  churches  of  God 
which  are  in  Judaea  in  Christ  Jesus :  for  ye  also  suffered 
the  same  things  of  your  own  countrymen,  even  as  they 
did  of  the  Jews;  who  both  killed  the  Lord  Jesus  and 
the  prophets,  and  drove  out  us,  and  please  not  God. 
and  are  contrary  to  all  men;  forbidding  us  to  speak  to 
the  Gentiles  that  they  may  be  saved;  to  fill  up  their 
sins  always:  but  the  wrath  is  come  upon  them  to  the 
uttermost. 

Paul's  Enforced  Absence. 

But  we,  brethren,  being  bereaved  of  you  for  a  short 
season,  in  presence  not  in  heart,  endeavored  the  more 
exceedingly  to  see  your  face  with  great  desire:  because' 
we  would  fain  have  come  unto  you,  I  Paul  once  and 
again;  and  Satan  hindered  us.  For  what  is  our  hope, 
or  joy,  or  crown  of  glorying?  Are  not  even  ye,  before 
our  Lord  Jesus  at  his  coming?  For  ye  are  our  glory 
and  our  joy. 

Wherefore  when  we  could  no  longer  forbear,  we 
thought  it  good  to  be  left  behind  at  Athene  alone ;  and 
sent  Timothy,  our  brother  and  God's  minister  in  the 
gospel  of  Christ,  to  establish  you,  and  to  comfort  you 
concerning  your  faith;  that  no  man  be  moved  by  these 
afflictions;  for  yourselves  know  that  hereunto  we  are  ap- 
pointed. For  verily,  when  we  were  with  you,  we  told 
you  beforehand  that  we  are  to  suffer  affliction;  even 
as  it  came  to  pass,  and  ye  know.  "For  this  cause  I  also, 
when  I  could  no  longer  forbear,  sent  that  I  might  know 
your  faith,  lest  by  any  means  the  tempter  had  tempted 
you,  and  our  labor  should  be  in  vain. 

The  Good  Report  of  Timothy. 

But  when  Timothy  came  even  now  unto  us  from 
you,  and  brought  us  glad  tidings  of  your  faith  and  love, 


26  A   PRAYER 

and  that  ye  have  good  remembrance  of  us  always, 
longing  to  see  us,  even  as  we  also  to  see  you;  for  this 
cause,  brethren,  we  were  comforted  over  you  in  all 
our  distress  and  affliction  through  your  faith:  for  now 
we  live,  if  ye  stand  fast  in  the  Lord.  For  what  thanks- 
giving can  we  render  again  unto  God  for  you,  for  all 
the  joy  wherewith  we  joy  for  your  sakes  before  our 
God;  night  and  da}^  praying  exceedingly  that  we  may 
see  your  face,  and  may  perfect  that  which  is  lacking  in 
your  faith? 

A  Prayer. 

Now  may  our  God  and  Father  himself,  and  our 
Lord  Jesus,  direct  our  way  unto  you:  and  the  Lord 
make  you  to  increase  and  abound  in  love  one  toward 
another,  and  toward  all  men,  even  as  we  also  do  toward 
you;  to  the  end  he  may  establish  your  hearts  unblam- 
able in  holiness  before  our  God  and  Father,  at  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  with  all  his  saints. 

Warnii^g  Against  Impurity. 

Finally  then,  brethren,  we  beseech  and  exhort  you 
in  the  Lord  Jesus,  that,  as  ye  received  of  us  how  ye 
ought  to  walk  and  to  please  God,  even  as  ye  do  walk, — 
that  ye  abound  more  and  more. 

For  ye  know  what  charge  we  gave  you  through  the 
Lord  Jesus.  For  this  is  the  will  of  God,  even  your 
sanctification,  that  ye  abstain  from  fornication;  that 
each  one  of  you  know  how  to  possess  himself  of  his 
own  vessel  in  sanctification  and  honor,  not  in  the  pas- 
sion of  lust,  even  as  the  Gentiles  who  know  not  God; 
that  no  man  transgress,  and  wrong  his  brother  in  the 
matter:  because  the  Lord  is  an  avenger  in  all  these 
things,  as  also  we  forewarned  you  and  testified.  For 
God  called  us  not  for  uncleanness,  but  in  sanctification. 


A  BROTHERLY  AND   ORDERLY   LIFE  27 

Therefore  he  that  rejecteth,  rejecteth  not  man,   but 
God,  who  giveth  his  Holy  Spirit  unto  you. 

A  Brotherly  and  Orderly  Life. 

But  concerning  love  of  the  brethren  ye  have  no 
need  that  one  write  unto  you:  for  ye  yourselves  are 
taught  of  God  to  love  one  another;  for  indeed  ye  do  it 
toward  all  the  brethren  that  are  in  all  Macedonia. 
But  we  exhort  you,  brethren,  that  ye  abound  more 
and  more;  and  that  ye  study  to  be  quiet,  and  to  do 
your  own  business,  and  to  work  with  your  hands,  even 
as  we  charged  you;  that  ye  may  walk  becomingly 
toward  them  that  are  without,  and  may  have  need  of 
nothing. 

Comfort  for  the  Dead. 

But  we  would  not  have  you  ignorant,  brethren,  con- 
cerning them  that  fall  asleep;  that  ye  sorrow  not,  even 
as  the  rest,  who  have  no  hope.  For  if  we  believe  that 
Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so  them  also  that  are 
fallen  asleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him.  For 
this  we  say  unto  you  by  the  word  of  the  Lord,  that  we 
that  are  alive,  that  are  left  unto  the  coming  of  the  Lord, 
shall  in  nowise  precede  them  that  are   fallen  asleep. 

For  the  Lord  himself  shall  descend  from  heaven, 
with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with 
the  trump  of  God :  and  the  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first ; 
then  we  that  are  alive,  that  are  left,  shall  together  with 
them  be  caught  up  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in 
the  air:  and.so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the  Lord.  Where- 
fore, comfort  .one  another  with  these  words. 

The  Coming  of  the  Lord. 

But  concerning  the  times  and  the  seasons,  brethren, 
ye  have  no  need  that  aught  be  written  unto  you.     For 


28  THE  CHRISTIAN  SOCIETY 

yourselves  know  perfectly  that  the  day  of  the  Lord  so 
conieth  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  When  they  are  saying, 
Peace  and  safety,  then  sudden  destruction  cometh 
upon  them,  as  travail  upon  a  woman  with  child;  and 
they  shall  in    no  wise  escape. 

But  ye,  brethren,  are  not  in  darkness,  that  that  day 
should  overtake  you  as  a  thief:  for  ye  are  all  sons  of 
light,  and  sons  of  the  day:  we  are  not  of  the  night,  nor 
of  darkness;  so  then  let  us  not  sleep,  as  do  the  rest,  but 
let  us  watch  and  be  sober. 

For  they  that  sleep  sleep  in  the  night ;  and  they  that 
are  drunken  are  drunken  in  the  night.  But  let  us, 
since  we  are  of  the  day,  be  sober,  putting  on  the  breast- 
plate of  faith  and  love;  and  for  a  helmet,  the  hope  of 
salvation.  For  God  appointed  us  not  unto  wrath, 
but  unto  the  obtaining  of  salvation  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  died  for  us,  that,  whether  we  wake  or 
sleep,  we  should  live  together  with  him.  Wherefore 
exhort  one  another,  and  build  each  other  up,  even  as 
also  ye  do. 

The  Christian  Society, 

But  we  beseech  you,  brethren,  to  know  them  that 
labor  among  you,  and  are  over  you  in  the  Lord,  and 
admonish  you;  and  to  esteem  them  exceeding  highly 
in  love  for  their  work's  sake.  Be  at  peace  among 
yourselves.  And  we  exhort  you,  brethren,  admonish 
the  disorderly,  encourage  the  fainthearted,  support 
the  weak,  be  longsuffering  toward  all.  See  that  none 
render  unto  any  one  evil  for  evil ;  but  always  follow  after 
that  which  is  good,  one  toward  another,  and  toward  all. 

Rejoice  always;  pray  without  ceasing;  in  everything 
give  thanks:  for  this  is  the  will  of  God  in  Chr.ist  Jesus 
to  you-ward. 


THE  APOSTOLIC  PRAYER  29 

Quench  not  the  Spirit;  despise  not  prophesyings ; 
prove  all  things;  hold  fast  that  which  is  good;  abstain 
from  every  form  of  evil. 

The  Apostolic  Prayer. 

And  the  God  of  peace  himself  sanctify  you  wholly; 
and  may  your  spirit  and  soul  and  body  be  preserved 
entire,  without  blame  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

Faithful  is  he  that  calleth  you,  who  will  also  do  it. 

Final  Words. 

Brethren,  pray  for  us. 
Salute  all  the  brethren  with  a  holy  kiss. 
I  adjure  you  by  the  Lord  that  this  epistle  be  read 
unto  all  the  brethren. 

The  Grace  OF  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  With  You. 


SECOND  LETTER   TO  THE    THESSALONIANS.* 

paul  and  silvanus,  and  timothy,  unto  the  church 
of  the  thessalonians  in  god  our  father  and  the 
lord  jesus  christ;  grace  to  you  and  peace  from 
god  the  father  and  the  lord  jesus  christ. 

Gratitude  for  the  Stedfast  Faith. 

We  are  bound  to  give  thanks  to  God  always  for  you, 
brethren,  even  as  it  is  meet,  for  that  your  faith  groweth 
exceedingly,  and  the  love  of  each  one  of  you  all  toward 
one  another  aboundeth;  so  that  we  ourselves  glory  in 
you  in  the  churches  of  God  for  your  patience  and  faith 
in  all  your  persecutions  and  in  the  afflictions  which 
ye  endure;  which  is  a  manifest  token  of  the  righteous 
judgment  of  God;  to  the  end  that  ye  may  be  counted 
worthy  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  for  which  ye  also  suffer: 
if  so  be  that  it  is  a  righteous  thing  with  God  to  recom- 
pense affliction  to  them  that  afflict  you,  and  to  you  that 
are  afflicted  rest  with  us,  at  the  revelation  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  from  heaven  with  the  angels  of  his  power  in 
flaming  fire,  rendering  vengeance  to  them  that  know 
not  God,  and  to  them  that  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our 
Lord  Jesus:  who  shall  suffer  punishment,  even  eternal 
destruction  from  the  face  of  the  Lord  and  from  the 
glory  of  his  might,  when  he  shall  come  to  be  glorified 
in  his  saints,  and  to  be  marvelled  at  in  all  them  that 
believed  (because  our  testimony  unto  you  was  believed) 
in  that  day. 

A  Prayer  for  Perfecting. 

To  which  end  we  also  pray  always  for  you,  that  our 
God  may  count  you  worthy  of  your  calling,  and  fulfil 

(^)This  letter  was  probably  sent  to  Thessalonica  from  Corinth 
sometime  after  the  first,  and  in  consequence  of  a  misunderstanding 
of  the  former  letter. 

30 


WARNING  CONCERNING  THE   LORD's   COMING  31 

every  desire  of  goodness  and  every  work  of  faith,  with 
power;  that  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  may  be  glorified 
in  you,  and  ye  in  him,  according  to  the  grace  of  our 
God  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

Warning  Concerning  the  Lord's  Coming. 

Now  we  beseech  you,  brethren,  touching  the  coming 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  our  gathering  together 
unto  him;  to  the  end  that  ye  be  not  quickly  shaken 
from  your  mind,  nor  yet  be  troubled,  either  by  spirit, 
or  by  word,  or  by  epistle  as  from  us,  as  that  the  day  of 
the  Lord  is  just  at  hand;  let  no  man  beguile  you  in  any 
wise:  for  it  will  not  be,  except  the  falling  away  come 
first,  and  the  man  of  sin  be  revealed,  the  son  of  per- 
dition, he  that  opposeth  and  exalteth  himself  against 
all  that  is  called  God  or  that  is  worshipped;  so  that  he 
sitteth  in  the  temple  of  God,  setting  himself  forth  as 
God.  Remember  ye  not,  that,  when  I  was  yet  with 
you,  I  told  you  these  things? 

Precedent  Manifestation  of  Evil. 

And  now  ye  know  that  which  restraineth,  to  the  end 
that  he  may  be  revealed  in  his  own  season. 

For  the  mystery  of  lawlessness  doth  already  work: 
only  there  is  one  that  restraineth  now,  until  he  be 
taken  out  of  the  way.  And  then  shall  be  revealed  the 
lawless  one,  whom  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  slay  with  the 
breath  of  his  mouth,  and  bring  to  nought  by  the  mani- 
festation of  his  coming;  even  he,  whose  coming  is  accord- 
ing to  the  working  of  Satan  with  all  power  and  signs 
and  lying  wonders,  and  with  all  deceit  of  unrighteous- 
ness for  them  that  perish;  because  they  received  not 
the  love  of  the  truth,  thj  Athey  might  be  saved.  And 
for  this  cause  God  sendeth  them  a  working  of  error,  that 
they  should  believe  a  lie;  that  they  all  might  be  judged 


32  THE   SALVATION   OF  THE   CHOSEN 

who  believed  not  the  truth,  but  had  pleasure  in  un- 
righteousness. 

The  Salvation  of  the  Chosen. 

But  we  are  bound  to  give  thanks  to  God  always  for 
you,  brethren  beloved  of  the  Lord,  for  that  God  chose 
you  from  the  beginning  unto  salvation  in  sanctification 
of  the  Spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth:  whereunto  he  called 
you  through  our  gospel,  to  the  obtaining  of  the  glory 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  So  then,  brethren,  stand  fast, 
and  hold  the  traditions  which  ye  were  taught,  whether 
by  word,  or  by  epistle  of  ours. 

A  Prayer  for  Stedfastness. 

Now  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself,  and  God  our 
Father  who  loved  us  and  gave  us  eternal  comfort  and 
good  hope  through  grace,  comfort  your  hearts  and 
establish  them  in  every  good  work  and  word. 

Mutual  Prayers. 

Finally,  brethren,  pra}^  for  us,  that  the  word  of  the 
Lord  may  run  and  be  glorified,  even  as  also  it  is  with 
you;  and  that  we  maybe  delivered  from  unreasonable 
and  evil  men;  for  all  have  not  faith.  But  the  Lord  is 
faithful,  who  shall  establish  you,  and  guard  you  from 
the  evil  one.  And  we  have  confidence  in  the  Lord 
touching  you,  that  ye  both  do  and  will  do  the  things 
which  we  command.  And  the  Lord  direct  your  hearts 
into  the  love  of  God,  and  into  the  patience  of  Christ. 

Condemnation   of   the   Lazy. 

Now  we  command  you,  '^-ethren,  in  the  name  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  thi  ye  withdraw  yourselves 
from  every  brother  that  walketh  disorderly,  and  not 


WISE   BUT  FIRM   DISCIPLINE  33 

after  the  tradition  which  they  received  of  us.  For 
yourselves  know  how  ye  ought  to  imitate  us:  for  we 
behaved  not  ourselves  disorderly  among  you;  neither 
did  we  eat  bread  for  nought  at  any  man's  hand,  but 
in  labor  and  travail,  working  night" and  day,  that  we 
might  not  burden  any  of  you :  not  because  we  have  not 
the  right,  but  to  make  ourselves  an  ensample  unto  you, 
that  ye  should  imitate  us.  For  even  when  we  were 
with  you,  this  we  commanded  you,  If  any  will  not  work, 
neither  let  him  eat. 

For  we  hear  of  some  that  walk  among  you  disorderly, 
that  work  not  at  all,  but  are  busy  bodies.  Now  them 
that  are  such  we  command  and  exhort  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  that  with  quietness  they  work,  and  eat 
their    own    bread. 

Wise  but  Firm  Discipline. 

But  ye,  brethren,  be  not  weary  in  well-doing.  And 
if  any  man  obeyeth  not  our  word  by  this  epistle,  note 
that  man,  that  ye  have  no  company  with  him,  to  the 
end  that  he  may  be  ashamed.  And  yet  count  him  not 
as  an  enemy,  but  admonish  him  as  a  brother. 

A  Prayer  for  Peace. 

Now  the  Lord  of  peace  himself  give  you  peace  at  all 
times  in  all  ways.     The  Lord  be  with  you  all. 

Autograph  Salutation. 

The  salutation  of  me  PAUL  with  mine  own  hand, 
which  is  the  token  in  every  epistle:  so  I  write. 

Thb  Grace    of   Our   Lord   Jesus   Christ   be    With 
You  All. 


34  continued  evangelization  in  corinth 

Continued  Evangelization  in  Corinth. 

But  when  Gallic  was  pro-consul  of  Achaia,  the  Jews 
with  one  accord  rose  up  against  Paul  and  brought  him 
before  the  judgment-seat ,  saying, ' '  This  man  persuade  till 
men  to  worship  God  contrary  to  the  law." 

But  when  Paul  was  about  to  open  his  mouth, 
Gallio  said  unto  the  Jews,  "If  indeed  it  were  a 
matter  of  wrong  or  of  wicked  villany,  O  ye 
Jews,  reason  would  that  I  should  bear  with 
you:  but  if  they  are  questions  about  words  and 
names  and  your  own  law,  look  to  it  yourselves;  I  am 
not  minded  to  be  a  judge  of  these  matters."  And  he 
drove  them  from  the  judgment-seat. 

And  they  all  laid  hold  on  Sosthenes,  the  ruler  of  the 
synagogue,  and  beat  him  before  the  judgment-seat. 
And  Gallio  cared  for  none  of  these  things. 

Departure  from  Corinth. 

And  Paul,  having  tarried  after  this  yet  many  days, 
took  his  leave  of  the  brethren,  and  sailed  thence  for 
Syria,  and  with  him  Priscilla  and  Aquila:  having  shorn 
his  head  in  Cenchreae;  for  he  had  a  vow. 

And  they  came  to  Ephesus,  and  he  left  them  there: 
but  he  himself  entered  into  the  synagogue,  and  reasoned 
with  the  Jews.  And  when  they  asked  him  to  abide 
a  longer  time,  he  consented  not;  but  taking  his  leave  of 
them,  and  saying,  "I  will  return  again  unto  you  if 
God  will,"  he  set  sail  from  Ephesus. 

Conclusion  of  the  Second  Journey. 

And  when  he  had  landed  at  Cassarea,  he  went  up 
and  saluted  the  church,  and  went  down  to  Antioch. 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  GALATIANS.^ 

PAUL,  AN  APOSTLE  (NOT  FROM  MEN,  NEITHER  THROUGH 
MAN,  BUT  THROUGH  JESUS  CHRIST,  AND  GOD  THE 
FATHER,  WHO  RAISED  HIxM  FROM  THE  DEAD),  AND  ALL 
THE  BRETHREN  THAT  ARE  WITH  ME,  UNTO  THE 
CHURCHES  OF  GALATIA:  GRACE  TO  YOU  AND  PEACE 
FROM  GOD  THE  FATHER,  AND  OUR  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST, 
WHO    GAVE    HIMSELF    FOR    OUR    SINS,    THAT    HE    MIGHT 

deliver  us  out  of  this  present  evil  world,  ac- 
cording to  the  will  of  our  god  and  father:  to 
whom  be  the  glory  for  ever  and  ever.     amen. 

The  One  Gospel. 

I  marvel  that  ye  are  so  quickly  removing  from  him 
that  called  you  in  the  grace  of  Christ  unto  a  different 
gospel ;  which  is  not  another  gospel :  only  there  are  some 
that  trouble  you,  and  would  pervert  the  gospel  of 
Christ. 

But  though  we,  or  an  angel  from  heaven,  should 
preach  unto  you  any  gospel  other  than  that  which  we 
preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  anathema.  As  we  have 
said  before,  so  say  I  now  again,  if  any  man  preacheth 
unto  you  any  gospel  other  than  that  which  ye  received, 
let  him  be  anathema. 

For  am  I  now  seeking  the  favor  of  men,  or  of  God? 
or  am  I  striving  to  please  men?  if  I  were  still  pleasing 
men,  I  should  not  be  a  servant  of  Christ. 

The   Gospel   Revealed   to   Paul. 

For  I  make  known  to  you,  brethren,  as  touching  the 
gospel  which  was  preached  by  me,  that  it  is  not  after 

0)The  exact  time  and  place  of  the  writing  of  this  letter  are  uncer- 
tain. It  may  have  been  written  from  Antioch,  where  Paul  may 
ha/e  received  information  concerning  conditions  in  Galatia. 

35 


36  Paul's  independent  apostleship 

man.  For  neither  did  I  receive  it  from  man,  nor  was 
I  taught  it,  but  it  came  to  me  through  revelation  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

For  ye  have  heard  of  my  manner  of  life  in  time  past 
in  the  Jews'  religion,  how  that  beyond  measure  I  perse- 
cuted the  church  of  God,  and  made  havoc  of  it :  and  I 
advanced  in  the  Jews'  religion  beyond  many  of  mine 
own  age  among  my  countrymen,  being  more  exceed- 
ingly zealous  for  the  traditions  of  my  fathers. 

But  when  it  was  the  good  pleasure  of  God,  who 
separated  me,  even  from  my  mother's  womb,  and  called 
me  through  his  grace,  to  reveal  his  Son  in  me,  that  I 
might  preach  him  among  the  Gentiles;  straightway  I 
conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood:  neither  went  I  up 
to  Jerusalem  to  them  that  were  apostles  before  me: 
but  I  went  away  into  Arabia ;  and  again  I  returned  unto 
Damascus. 

Paul's  Independent  Apostleship. 

Then  after  three  years  I  went  up  to  Jerusalem  to 
visit  Cephas,  and  tarried  with  him  fifteen  days.  But 
other  of  the  apostles  saw  I  none,  save  James  the  Lord's 
brother. 

Now  touching  the  things  which  I  write  unto  you, 
behold,  before  God,  I  lie  not. 

Then  I  came  into  the  regions  of  Syria  and  Cilicia. 
And  I  was  still  unknown  by  face  unto  the  churches  of 
Judaea  which  were  in  Christ:  but  they  only  heard  say, 
"He  that  once  persecuted  us  now  preacheth  the  faith 
of  which  he  once  made  havoc";  and  they  glorified 
God  in  me. 

Then  after  the  space  of  fourteen  years  I  went  up 
again  to  Jerusalem  with  Barnabas,  taking  ^Titus  also 
with  me.  And  I  went  up  by  revelation;  and  I  laid 
before  them  the  gospel  which     I     preach  among    the 


RECOGNITION   OF  THE   PILLAR  APOSTLES  6i 

Gentiles  but  privately  before  them  who  were  of  repute, 
lest  by  any  means  I  should  be  running,  or  had  run,  in 
vain. 

But  not  even  Titus  who  was  with  me.  being  a  Greek, 
was  compelled  to  be  circumcised:  and  that  because  of 
the  false  brethren  privily  brought  in,  who  came  in 
privily  to  spy  out  our  liberty  which  we  have  in  Christ 
Jesus,  that  they  might  bring  us  into  bondage :  to  whom 
we  gave  place  in  the  way  of  subjection,  no,  not  for  an 
hour;  that  the  truth  of  the  gospel  might  continue  with 
you 

Recognition  by  the  Pillar  Apostles. 

But  from  those  who  were  reputed  to  be  somewhat 
(whatsoever  they  were,  it  maketh  no  matter  to  me: 
God  accepteth  not  man's  person) — they,  I  say,  who 
were  of  repute  imparted  nothing  to  me:  but  contrari- 
wise, when  they  saw  that  I  had  been  intrusted  with  the 
gospel  of  the  uncircumcision,  even  as  Peter  with  the 
gospel  of  the  circumcision  (for  he  that  wrought  for 
Peter  unto  the  apostleship  of  the  circumcision  wrought 
for  me  also  unto  the  Gentiles);  and  when  they  per- 
ceived the  grace  that  was  given  unto  me,  James  and 
Cephas  and  John,  they  who  were  reputed  to  be  pillars, 
gave  to  me  and  Barnabas  the  right  hands  of  fellowship, 
that  we  should  go  unto  the  Gentiles,  and  they  unto  the 
circumcision;  only  they  would  that  we  should  remem- 
ber the  poor;  which  very  thing  I  was  also  zealous  to  do. 

Paul's  Rebuke  of  Peter. 

But  when  Cephas  came  to  Antioch,  I  resisted  him 
to  the  face,  because  he  stood  condemned.  For  before 
that  certain  came  from  James,  he  ate  with  the  Gentiles; 
but  when  they  came,  he  drew  back  and  separated  him- 
self, fearing  them  that  were  of  the  circumcision.    And 


38  THE   EXPERIENCE   OF  SPIRITUAL  RELIGION 

the  rest  of  the  Jews  dissembled  likewise  with  him; 
insomuch  that  even  Barnabas  was  carried  away  with 
their  dissimulation. 

But  when  I  saw  that  they  walked  not  uprightly 
according  to  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  I  said  unto  Cephas 
before  them  all,  "If  thou,  being  a  Jew,  livest  as  do  the 
Gentiles,  and  not  as  do  the  Jews,  how  compellest  thou 
the  Gentiles  to  live  as  do  the  Jews? 

"We  being  Jews  by  nature,  and  not  sinners  of  the 
Gentiles,  yet  knowing  that  a  man  is  not  justified  by  the 
works  of  the  law  but  through  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  even 
we  believed  on  Jesus  Christ,  that  we  might  be  justified 
by  faith  in  Christ,  and  not  by  the  works  of  the  law: 
because  by  the  works  of  the  law  shall  no  fiesh  bejusti^ 
fied. 

"But  if,  while  we  sought  to  be  justified  in  Christ,  we 
ourselves  also  were  found  sinners,  is  Christ  a  minister 
of  sin?  God  forbid.  For  if  I  build  up  again  those 
things  which  I  destroyed,  I  prove  myself  a  transgressor. 
For  I  through  the  law  died  unto  the  law,  that  I  might 
live  unto  God.  I  have  been  crucified  with  Christ;  and 
it  is  no  longer  I  that  live,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me:  and 
that  life  which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh  I  live  in  faith,  the 
faith  which  is  in  the  Son  of  God.  who  loved  me,  and 
gave  himself  up  for  me. 

"I  do  not  make  void  the  grace  of  God:  for  if  righteous- 
ness is  through  the  law,  then  Christ  died  for  nought." 

The  Experience  of  Spiritual  Religion. 

O  foolish  Galatians,  who  did  bewitch  you,  before 
whose  eyes  Jesus  Christ  was  openly  set  forth  crucified? 
This  only  would  I  learn  from  you.  Received  ye  the 
Spirit  by  the  works  of  the  law,  or  by  the  hearing  of 
faith?     Are  ye  so  foolish?     having  begun  in  the  Spirit, 


Abraham's  spiritual  religion  39 

are  ye  now  perfected  in  the  flesh?     Did  ye  suffer  so 
many  things  in  vain?     if  it  be  indeed  in  vain. 

He  therefore  that  suppHeth  to  you  the  Spirit,  and 
worketh  miracles  among  you,  doeth  he  it  by  the  work? 
of  the  law,  or  by  the  hearing  of  faith? 

Abraham's  Spiritual  Religion. 

Even  as  Abraham  believed  God,  and  it  was  reckoned 
unto  him  for  righteousness.  Know  therefore  that  they 
that  are  of  faith,  the  same  are  sons  of  Abraham.  And 
the  scripture,  foreseeing  that  God  would  justify  the 
Gentiles  by  faith,  preached  the  gospel  beforehand  unto 
Abraham,  saying,  "In  thee  shall  all  the  nations  be 
blessed."  So  then  they  that  are  of  faith  are  blessed 
with  the  faithful  Abraham. 

The  Law  and  the  Curse. 

For  as  many  as  are  of  the  works  of  the  law  are  under 
a  curse:  for  it  is  written,  "Cursed  is  every  one  who 
continueth  not  in  all  things  that  are  written  in  the  book 
of  the  law,  to  do  them." 

Now  that  no  man  is  justified  by  the  law  before  God, 
is  evident:  for  "The  righteous  shall  live  by  faith;"  and 
the  law  is  not  of  faith;  but.  "He  that  doeth  them  shall 
live  in  them." 

Christ  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  having 
become  a  curse  for  us;  for  it  is  written,  "Cursed  is  everv 
one  that  hangeth  on  a  tree:"  that  Upon  the  Gentiles 
might  come  the  blessing  of  Abraham  in  Christ  Jesus; 
that  we  might  receive  the  promise  of  the  Spirit  through 
faith. 

The  Promise  Preceded  the  Law. 

Brethren,  I  speak  after  the  manner  of  men:  Though 
it  be  but  a  man's  covenant,  yet  when  it  hath  been  con- 


40  THE   TUTELAGE   OF  THE   LAW 

firmed,  no  one  maketh  it  void,  or  addeth  thereto.  Now 
to  Abraham  were  the  promises  spoken,  and  to  his  seed. 
He  saith  not,"  And  to  seeds,"  as  of  many;  but  as  of  one, 
"And  to  thy  seed,"  which  is  Christ. 

Now  this  I  say:  A  covenant  confirmed  beforehand 
by  God,  the  law,  which  came  four  hundred  and  thirty 
years  after,  doth  not  disannul,  so  as  to  make  the 
promise  of  none  effect.  For  if  the  inheritance  is  of  the 
lavr,  it  IS  no  more  of  promise :  but  God  hath  granted  it 
to  Abraham  by  promxise. 

What  then  is  the  law?  It  was  added  because  of 
transgressions,  till  the  seed  should  come  to  whom 
the  promise  hath  been  made;  and  it  was  ordained 
through  angels  by  the  hand  of  a  mediator.  Now  a 
mediator  is  not  a  mediator  of  one;  but  God  is  one. 

The  Tutelage  of  the  Law. 

Is  the  law  then  against  the  promises  of  God.?  God 
forbid:  for  if  there  had  been  a  law  given  which  could 
make  alive,  verily  righteousness  would  have  been  of  the 
law.  But  the  scripture  shut  up  all  things  under  sin, 
that  the  promise  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  might  be 
given   to   them   that  believe 

But  before  faith  came,  we  were  kept  in  ward  under 
the  law,  shut  up  unto  the  faith  which  should  after- 
wards be  revealed.  So  that  the  law  is  become  our  tutor 
to  bring  us  unto  Christ,  that  we  might  be  justified  by 
faith. 

The  Freedom  of  Sonship. 

But  now  that  faith  is  come,  we  are  no  longer  under  a 
tutor.  For  ye  are  all  sons  of  God,  through  faith,  in 
Christ  Jesus.  For  as  many  of  you  as  were  baptized 
into  Christ  did  put  on  Christ. 

There  can  be  neither  Jew  nor  Greek,  there  can  be 


THE   FULNESS   OF  REDEMPTION  41 

neither  bond  nor  free,  there  can  be  no. male  and  female; 
for  ye  all  are  one  man  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  if  ye  are 
Christ's,  then  are  ye  Abraham's  seed,  heirs  according 
to  promise. 

The  Fulness  of  Redemption. 

But  I  say  that  so  long  as  the  heir  is  a  child,  he 
differeth  nothing  from  a  bondservant  though  he  is  lord 
of  all;  but  is  under  guardians  and  stewards  until  the 
day  appointed  of  the  father.  So  we  also,  when  we 
were  children,  were  held  in  bondage  under  the  rudiments 
of  the  world:  but  when  the  fulness  of  the  time  came, 
God  sent  forth  his  Son,  born  of  a  woman,  born  under 
the  law,  that  he  might  redeem  them  that  were  under 
the  law,  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption  of  sons. 
And  because  ye  are  sons,  God  sent  forth  the  Spirit  of 
his  Son  into  our  hearts,  crying,  "Abba,  Father."  So 
that  thou  art  no  longer  a  bondservant,  but  a  son;  and 
if  a  son,  then  an  heir  through  God. 

The    Bondage    of    Legalism. 

Howbeit  at  that  time,  not  knowing  God,  ye  were  in 
bondage  to  them  that  by  nature  are  no  gods:  but  now 
that  ye  have  come  to  know  God,  or  rather  to  be  known 
by  God,  how  turn  ye  back  again  to  the  weak  and 
beggarly  rudiments,  whereunto  ye  desire  to  be  in  bond- 
age over  again?  Ye  observe  days,  and  months,  and 
seasons,  and  years.  I  am  afraid  of  you,  lest  by  any 
means  I  have  bestowed  labor  upon  you  in  vain. 

A  Personal  Appeal. 

I  beseech  you,  brethren,  become  as  I  am,  for  I  also 
am  become  as  ye  are.  Ye  did  me  no  wrong:  but  ye 
know  that  because  of  an  infirmity  of  the  flesh  I  preached 
the  gospel  unto  you  the  first  time:  and  that  which  was 


42  ALLEGORY  OF   BONDAGE   AND   FREEDOM 

a  temptation  to  you  in  my  flesh  ye  despised  not,  nor 
rejected;  but  ye  received  me  as  an  angel  of  God,  even 
as  Christ  Jesus. 

Where  then  is  that  gratulation  of  yourselves?  for 
I  bear  you  witness,  that,  if  possible,  ye  would  have 
plucked  out  your  eyes  and  given  them  to  me.  So 
then  am  I  become  your  enemy,  by  telling  you  the  truth? 
They  zealously  seek  you  in  no  good  way;  nay,  they 
desire  to  shut  you  out,  that  ye  may  seek  them.  But 
it  is  good  to  be  zealously  sought  in  a  good  matter  at 
all  times,  and  not  only  when  I  am  present  with  you. 

My  little  children,  of  whom  I  am  again  in  travail  until 
Christ  be  formed  in  you — but  I  could  wish  to  be  present 
with  you  now,  and  to  change  my  tone;  for  I  am  per- 
plexed about  you. 

Allegory  of  Bondage  and  Freedom. 

Tell  me,  ye  that  desire  to  be  under  the  law,  do  ye 
not  hear  the  law?  For  it  is  written,  that  Abraham 
had  two  sons,  one  by  the  handmaid,  and  one  by  the 
freewoman.  Howbeit  the  son  by  the  handmaid  is 
born  after  the  flesh;  but  the  son  by  the  freewoman  is 
born  through  promise.  Which  things  contain  an 
allegory :  for  these  women  are  two  covenants ;  one  from 
mount  Sinai,  bearing  children  unto  bondage,  which  is 
Hagar.  Now  this  Hagar  is  mount  Sinai  in  Arabia  and 
answereth  to  the  Jerusalem  that  now  is:  for  she  is  in 
bondage  with  her  children. 

But  the  Jerusalem  that  is  above  is  free,  which  is  our 
mother.      For  it  is  written, 

"Rejoice,  thou  barren  that  bcarest  not; 
Break  forth  and  cry,  thou  that  travailest  not: 
For  more  are  the  children  of  the  desolate  than 
of  her  that  hath  the  husband." 

,  Now  we,  brethren,  as  Isaac  was,  are  children  of 
promise.     But  as  then  he  that  was  born  after  the  flesh 


FREEDOM  AND  GRACE  43 

persecuted  him  that  was  born  after  the  Spirit,  so  also 
it  is  now.  Howbeit  what  saith  the  scripture?  "Cast 
out  the  handmaid  and  her  son :  for  the  son  of  the  hand- 
maid shall  not  inherit  with  the  son  of  the  freewoman." 
Wherefore,  brethren,  we  are  not  children  of  a  hand- 
maid, but  of  the  freewoman. 

Freedom  and  Grace. 

For  freedom  did  ChriSt  set  us  free:  stand  fast  there- 
fore, and  be  not  entangled  again  in  a  3^oke  of  bondage. 

Behold,  I  Paul  say  unto  you,  that,  if  ye  receive  cir- 
cumcision, Christ  will  profit  you  nothing.  Yea,  I 
te=:"i:y  again  to  every  man  that  receiveth  circumcision, 
that  he  is  a  debtor  to  do  the  whole  law.  Ye  are  severed 
from  Christ,  ye  who  would  be  justified  by  the  law;  ye 
are  fallen  away  from  grace.  For  we. through  the  Spirit 
by  faith  wait  for  the  hope  of  righteousness.  For  in 
Christ  Jesus  neither  circumcision  availeth  anything,  nor 
uncircumcision;  but  faith  working  through  love. 

Ye  were  running  well;  who  hindered  you  that  ye 
should  not  obey  the  truth?  This  persuasion  came  not 
of  him  that  calleth  you.  A  little  leaven  leaveneth  the 
whole  lump. 

I  have  confidence  to  you-ward  in  the  Lord,  that  ye 
will  be  none  otherwise  minded:  but  he  that  troubleth 
you  shall  bear  his  judgment,  whosoever  he  be.  But  I, 
brethren,  if  I  still  preach  circumcision,  why  am  I  still 
persecuted?  then  hath  the  stumblingblock  of  the  cross 
been  done  away.  I  would  that  they  that  unsettle  you 
would  even  go  beyond  circumcision. 

The  Danger  of  Freedom. 

For  ye,  brethren,  were  called  for  freedom;  only  use 
not  your  freedom  for  an  occasion  to  the  flesh,  but 
through    love  be    servants  one    to  another.     For  the 


44  THE   WORKS  OF  THE   FLESH 

whole  law  is  fulfilled  in  one  word,  even  in  this:  "Thou 
shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself."  But  if  ye  bite  and 
devour  one  another,  take  heed  that  ye  be  not  consumed 
one  of  another. 

But  I  say,  Walk  by  the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not  fulfil 
the  lust  of  the  flesh.  For  the  flesh  lusteth  against  the 
Spirit,  and  the  Spirit  against  the  flesh;  for  these  are 
contrary  the  one  to  the  other;  that  ye  may  not  do  the 
things  that  ye  would.  But  if  ye  are  led  by  the  Spirit, 
ye  are  not  under  the  law. 

The  Works  of  the  Flesh. 

Now  the  works  of  the  flesh  are  manifest,  which  are 
these:  fornication,  uncleanness,  lasciviousness,  idolatry, 
sorcery,  enmities,  strife,  jealousies,  wraths,  factions, 
divisions,  parties,  envyings,  drunkenness,  revellings, 
and  such  like;  of  which  I  forewarn  you,  even  as  I  did 
forewarn  you,  that  they  who  practise  such  things  shall 
not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God. 

The  Fruit  of  the  Spirit. 

But  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long- 
suft'ering,  kindness,  goodness,  faithfulness,  meekness, 
self-control;  against  such  there  is  no  law.  And  they 
that  are  of  Christ  Jesus  have  crucified  the  flesh  with 
the  passions  and  the  lusts  thereof. 

If  we  live  by  the  Spirit,  by  the  Spirit  let  us  also  walk. 
Let  us  not  become  vainglorious,  provoking  one  another, 
envying  one  another. 

Fault-Finding  and  Self-Searching. 

Brethren,  even  if  a  man  be  overtaken  in  any  trespass, 
ye  who  are  spiritual,  restore  such  a  one  in  a  spirit  of 
gentleness;  looking  to  thyself,  lest  thou  also  be  tempted. 


SOWING  AND  REAPING  45 

Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens,  and  so  fulfil  the  law  of 
Christ. 

For  if  a  man  thinketh  himself  to  be  something  when 
he  is  nothing,  he  deceiveth  himself.  But  let  each  man 
prove  his  own  work,  and  then  shall  he  have  his  glorying 
in  regard  of  himself  alone,  and  not  of  his  neighbor. 
For  each  man  shall  bear  his  own  burden. 

Sowing  and  Reaping. 

But  let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  word  communicate 
unto  him  that  teacheth  in  all  good  things.  Be  not  de- 
ceived ;  God  is  not  mocked :  for  whatsoever  a  man  soweth, 
that  shall  he  also  reap.  For  he  that  soweth  unto  his 
own  flesh  shall  of  the  flesh  reap  corruption ;  but  he  that 
soweth  unto  the  Spirit  shall  of  the  Spirit  reap  eternal, 
life. 

And  let  us  not  be  weary  in  welldoing:  for  in  due 
season  we  shall  reap,  if  we  faint  not.  So  then,  as  we 
have  opportunity^  let  us  work  that  which  is  good 
toward  all  men,  and  especially  toward  them  that  are  of 
the  household  of  the  faith. 

Extended  Autograph  Conclusion. 

See  with  how  large  letters  I  write  unto  you,  with  mine 
own  hand. 

As  many  as  desire  to  make  a  fair  show  in  the  flesh, 
they  compel  you  to  be  circumcised;  only  that  they 
may  not  be  persecuted  for  the  cross  of  Christ.  For 
not  even  they  who  receive  circumcision  do  themselves 
keep  the  law;  but  they  desire  to  have  3^ou  circumcised, 
that  they  may  glory  in  your  flesh.  But  far  be  it  from 
me  to  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
through  which  the  world  hath  been  crucified  unto  me, 
and  I  unto  the  world.  For  neither  is  circumcision  any- 
thing, nor  uncircumcision,  but  a  new  creature.    And  as 


46  THE  THIRD  JOURNEY  FROM  ANTIOCH 

many  as  shall  walk  by  this  rule,  peace  be  upon  them, 
and  mercy,  and  upon  the  Israel  of  God. 

Henceforth  let  no  man  trouble  me;  for  I  bear  branded 
on  my  body  the  marks  of  Jesus. 

The  Grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with 
YOUR  Spirit,  Brethren.     Amen. 


The  Third  Journey  from  Antioch. 

And  having  sjDcnt  some  time  in  Corinth,  Paul  de- 
parted, and  went  through  the  region  of  Galatia,  and 
Phrygia,  in  order,  establishing  all  the  disciples. 

The  Eloquent  Apollos. 

Now  a  certain  Jew  named  Apollos,  an  Alexandrian 
by  race,  an  eloquent  man,  came  to  Ephesus;  and  he 
was  mighty  in  the  scriptures.  This  man  had  been 
instructed  in  the  way  of  the  Lord;  and  being  fervent  in 
spirit,  he  spake  and  taught  accurately  the  thmgs  con- 
cerning Jesus,  knowing  only  the  baptism  of  John:  and 
he  began  to  speak  boldly  in  the  synagogue. 

But  when  Priscilla  and  Aquila  heard  him,  they  took 
him  unto  them,  and  expounded  unto  him  the  way  of 
God   more   accurately. 

And  when  he  was  minded  to  pass  over  into  Achaia, 
the  brethren  encouraged  him,  and  wrote  to  the  disciples 
to  receive  him:  and  when  he  was  come,  he  helped  them 
much  that  had  believed  through  grace;  for  he  power- 
fully confuted  the  Jews,  and  that  publicly,  showing  by 
the  scriotures  that  Jesus  was  the  Christ. 


Paul's  beginning  at  ephesus  47 

Paul's  Beginning  at  Ephesus. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  that,  while  Apollos  was  at  Cor- 
fnth,  Paul  having  passed  through  the  upper  country 
came  to  Ephesus,  and  found  certain  disciples:  and  he 
said  unto  them," Did  ye  receive  the  Holy  Spirit  when 
ye  believed?" 

And  they  said  unto  him,  "Nay,  we  did  not  so  much 
as  hear  whether  the  Holy  Spirit  was  given." 

And  he  said,  "Into  what  then  were  ye  baptized?" 
And  they  said,  "Into  John's  baptism." 

And  Paul  said,  "John  baptized  with  the  baptism  of 
repentance,  saying  unto  the  people  that  they  should 
believe  on  him  that  should  come  after  him,  that  is,  on 
Jesus." 

And  when  they  heard  this,  they  were  baptized  into 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  And  when  Paul  had  laid 
his  hands  upon  them,  the  Holy  Spirit  came  on  them; 
and  they  spake  with  tongues,  and  prophesied.  And 
they  were  in  all  about  twelve  men. 

Three  Months  in  the  Synagogue. 

And  he  entered  into  the  synagogue,  and  spake  boldly 
for  the  space  of  three  months,  reasoning  and  persuading 
as  to  the  things  concerning  the  kingdom  of  God. 

But  v/hen  some  were  hardened  and  disobedient, 
speaking  evil  of  the  Way  before  the  multitude,  he 
departed  from  them,  and  separated  the  disciples, 
reasoning  daily  in  the  school  of  Tyrannus. 

Two  Years'  Ministry. 

And  this  continued  for  the  space  of  two  years;  so 
that  all  they  that  dwelt  in  Asia  heard  the  words  of  the 
Lord,  both  Jews  and  Greeks. 

And  God  wrought  special  miracles  by  the  hands  of 
Paul:  insomuch  that  unto  the  sick  were  carried  away 


45  PLANS   FOR  THE   FUTURE 

from  his  body  handkerchiefs  or  aprons,  and  the  dis- 
eases departed  from  them,  and  the  evil  spirits  went  out. 

But  certain  also  of  the  strolling  Jews,  exorcists,  took 
upon  them  to  name  over  them  that  had  the  evil  spirits 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  saying,  "I  adjure  you  by 
Jesus  whom  Paul  preacheth."  And  there  were  seven 
sons  of  one  Sceva,  a  Jew,  a  chief  priest,  who  did  this. 

And  the  evil  spirit  answered  and  said  unto  them, 
"Jesus  I  know,  and  Paul  I  knov/,  but  who  are  ye?" 

And  the  man  in  whom  the  evil  spirit  was  leaped  on 
them,  and  mastered  both  of  them,  and  prevailed  against 
them,  so  that  they  fled  out  of  that  house  naked  and 
wounded.  And  this  became  known  to  all,  both  Jews 
and  Greeks,  that  dwelt  at  Ephesus;  and  fear  fell  upon 
them  all,  and  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  was  magnified. 

Many  also  of  them  that  had  believed,  came,  confess- 
ing, and  declaring  their  deeds.  And  not  a  few  of  them 
that  practised  magical  arts  brought  their  books  together 
and  burned  them  in  the  sight  of  all;  and  they  counted 
the  price  of  them,  and  found  it  fifty  thousand  pieces  of 
silver.  So  mightily  grew  the  word  of  the  Lord  and 
prevailed. 

Plans  for  the  Future. 

Now  after  these  things  were  ended,  Paul  purposed  in 
the  spirit,  when  he  had  passed  through  Macedonia  and 
Achaia,  to  go  to  Jerusalem,  saying.  After  I  have  been 
there,  I  must  also  see  Rome.  And  having  sent  into 
Macedonia  two  of  them  that  ministered  unto  him, 
Timothy  and  Erastus,  he  himself  stayed  in  Asia  for 
a  while. 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  THE  CORINTHIANS.^ 

paul,  called  to  be  an  apostle  of  jesus  christ 
through  the  will  of  god,  and  sosthenes  our 
brother,  unto  the  church  of  god  which  is  at 
corinth,  even  them  that  are  sanctified  in 
christ  jesus,  called  to  be  saints,  with  all  that 
call  upon  the  name  of  our  lord  jesus  christ 
in  every  place,  their  lord  and  ours:  grace 
to  you  and  peace  from  god  our  father  and  the 
lord  jesus  christ. 

Gratitude  for  the  Work  of  Grace. 

I  thank  my  God  always  concerning  you,  for  the  grace 
of  God  which  was  given  you  in  Christ  Jesus;  that  in 
everything  ye  were  enriched  in  him,  in  all  utterance 
and  all  knowledge;  even  as  the  testimony  of  Christ 
was  confirmed  in  you:  so  that  ye  come  behind  in  no 
gift;  waiting  for  the  revelation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
who  shall  also  confirm  you  unto  the  end,  that  ye  be 
unreprovable  in  the  day  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
God  is  faithful,  through  whom  ye  were  called  into  the 
fellowship  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

The  Reported  Party  Strife. 

Now  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  through  the  name  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  ye  all  speak  the  same  thing, 
and  that  there  be  no  divisions  among  you;  but  that  ye 
be  perfected  together  in  the  same  mind  and  in  the 
same  judgment.  For  it  hath  been  signified  unto  me 
concerning  you,  my  brethren,  by  them  that  are  of  the 


(^)This  letter  was  probably  written  from  Ephesus  after  Paul  had 
received  a  report  of  the  Corinthian  Church  and  in  answer  to  a  letter 
from  Corinth  asking  his  advice. 

49 


50  DANGER  OF   WORLDLY  WISDOM 

household  of  Chloe.  that  there  are  contentions  among 
you. 

Now  this  is  what  I  mean,  that  each  one  of  you  saith, 
"I  am  of  Paul";  and  "I  of  Apollos";  and  "I  of  Cephas"; 
and  "I  of  Christ." 

Is  Christ  divided?  was  Paul  crucified  for  you?  or 
were  ye  baptized  into  the  name  of  Paul?  I  thank  God 
that  I  baptized  none  of  you,  save  Crispus  and  Gaius; 
lest  any  man  should  say  that  ye  were  baptized  into 
my  name.  And  I  baptized  also  the  household  of 
Stephanas:  besides,  I  know  not  whether  I  baptized 
any  other.  For  Christ  sent  me  not  to  baptize,  but 
to  preach  the  gospel;  not  in  wisdom  of  words,  lest 
the  cross  of  Christ  should  be  made  void. 

Danger  of  Worldly  Wisdom. 

For  the  word  of  the  cross  is  to  them  that  perish 
foolishness;  but  unto  us  who  are  saved  it  is  the  power 
of  God.      For  it  is  written, 

"I  will  destroy  the  wisdom  of  the  wise. 
And    the    discernment   of   the   discerning   will    I 
bring  to  nought." 

Where  is  the  wise?  where  is  the  scribe?  where  is  the 
disputer  of  this  world?  hath  not  God  made  foolish 
the  wisdom  of  the  world?  For  seeing  that  in  the 
wisdom  of  God  the  world  through  its  wisdom  knew 
not  God,  it  was  God's  good  pleasure  through  the  foolish- 
ness   of    the    preaching    to    save    them    that    believe. 

Seeing  that  Jews  ask  for  signs,  and  Greeks  seek  after 
wisdom:  but  we  preach  Christ  crucified,  unto  Jews  a 
stumblingblock,  and  unto  Gentiles  foolishness;  but 
unto  them  that  are  called,  both  Jews  and  Greeks, 
Christ  the  power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God. 
Because  the  foolishness  of  God  is  wiser  than  men; 
and  the  weakness  of  God  is  stronger  than  men. 


the  humble  chosen  51 

The  Humble  Chosen. 

For  behold  your  calling,  brethren,  that  not  many  wise 
after  the  flesh,  not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble,  are 
called :« but  God  chose  the  foolish  things  of  the  world, 
that  he  might  put  to  shame  them  that  are  wise;  and 
God  chose  the  weak  things  of  the  world,  that  he  might 
put  to  shame  the  things  that  are  strong;  and  the  base 
things  of  the  world,  and  the  things  that  are  despised, 
did  God  choose,  yea  and  the  things  that  are  not,  that 
he  might  bring  to  nought  the  things  that  are:  that  no 
flesh  should  glory  before  God. 

But  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  was  made  unto 
us  wisdom  from  God,  and  righteousness  and  sanctifica- 
tion,  and  redemption:  that,  according  as  it  is  written, 
*'He  that  glorieth,  let  him  glory  in  the  Lord.'' 

The  Humility  of  Paul. 

And  I,  brethren,  when  I  came  unto  you,  came  not 
with  excellency  of  speech  or  of  wisdom,  proclaiming 
to  you  the  testimony  of  God.  P^or  I  determined  not 
to  know  anything  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ,  and 
him  crucified.  % 

And  I  was  with  you  in  weakness,  and  in  fear,  and  in 
much  trembling.  And  my  speech  and  my  preaching 
were  not  in  persuasive  words  of  wisdom,  but  in 
demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power:  that  your 
faith  should  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in 
the  power  of  God. 

The  Divine  Wisdom. 

We  speak  wisdom,  however,  among  them  that  are 
fullgrown:  yet  a  wisdom  not  of  this  world,  nor  oi 
the  rulers  of  this  world,  who  are  coming  to  nought: 
but  we  speak  God's  wisdom  in  a  m^^stery,  even  the 
wisdom  that  hath  been  hidden,  which  God  foreordained 


52  SPIRITUAL    REVELATION 

before  the  worlds  unto  our  glory:  which  none  of  the 
rulers  of  this  world  hath  known:  for  had  they  known 
it,  they  would  not  have  crucified  the  Lord  of  glory: 
but  as  it  is  written, 

"Things  which  eye  saw  not,  and  ear  heard  not, 
And  which  entered  not  into  the  heart  of  man, 
Whatsoever  things  God  prepared  for  them  that 
love  him." 

Spiritual  Revelation. 

But  unto  us  God  revealed  them  through  the  Spirit: 
for  the  Spirit  searcheth  all  things,  yea,  the  deep  things 
of  God.  For  who  among,  men  knoweth  the  things  of 
a  man,  save  the  spirit  of  the  man,  which  is  in  him? 
even  so  the  things  of  God  none  knoweth,  save  the 
Spirit  of  God. 

But  we  received,  not  the  spirit  of  the  world,  but  the 
Spirit  which  is  from  God;  that  we  might  know  the 
things  that  were  freely  given  to  us  of  God.  Which 
things  also  we  speak,  not  in  words  which  man's  wisdom 
teacheth,  but  which  the  Spirit  teacheth;  combining 
spiritual  things  with  spiritual  words. 

Spiritual  Apprehension. 

Now  the  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of 
the  Spirit  of  God:  for  they  are  foolishness  unto  him; 
and  he  cannot  know  them,  because  they  are  spiritually 
judged.  But  he  that  is  spiritual  judgeth  all  things, 
and  he  himself  is  judged  of  no  man.  For  who  hath 
known  the  mind  of  the  Lord,  that  he  should  instruct 
him?     But  we  have  the  mind  of  Christ. 

Strife  About  Teachers. 

And  I,  brethren,  could  not  speak  unto  j^ou  as  unto 
spiritual,  but  as  unto  carnal,  as  unto  babes  in  Christ. 
I  fed  you  with  milk,  not  with  meat;  for  ye  were  not 


GOD  GREATER  THAN  TEACHERS  53 

yet  able  to  bear  it:  nay,  not  even  now  are  ye  able;  for 
ye  are  yet  carnal:  for  whereas  there  is  among  you 
jealousy  and  strife,  are  ye  not  carnal,  and  do  ye  not 
walk  after  the  manner  of  men? 

For  when  one  saith,  "I  am  of  Paul";  and  another,  "I 
am  of  Apollos" ;  are  ye  not  men? 

God  Greater  than  Teachers. 

What  then  is  Apollos?  and  what  is  Paul?  Ministers 
through  whom  ye  believed;  and  each  as  the  Lord  gave 
to  him.  I  planted,  Apollos  watered;  but  God  gave 
the  increase.  So  then  neither  is  he  that  planteth 
anything,  neither  he  thatwatereth;  but  God  that  giveth 
the  increase. 

Now  he  that  planteth  and  he  that  watereth  are  one: 
but  each  shall  receive  his  own  reward  according  to  his 
own  labor.  For  we  are  God's  fellow-workers:  ye  are 
God's  husbandry,  God's  building. 

Individual  Responsibility. 

According  to  the  grace  of  God  which  was  given  unto 
me,  as  a  wise  masterbuilder  I  laid  a  foundation;  and 
another  buildeth  thereon.  But  let  each  man  take 
heed  how  he  buildeth  thereon. 

For  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  which 
is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ.  But  if  any  man  buildeth 
on  the  foundation  gold,  silver,  costly  stones,  wood, 
hay,  stubble;  each  man's  work  shall  be  made  manifest: 
for  the  day  shall  declare  it,  because  it  is  revealed  in 
fire;  and  the  fire  itself  shall  prove  each  man's  work  oi 
what  sort  it  is.  If  any  man's  work  shall  abide  which 
he  built  thereon,  he  shall  receive  a  reward.  If  any 
man's  work  shall  be  burned,  he  shall  suffer  loss:  but 
he  himself  shall  be  saved;  yet  so  as  through  fire. 


54  glorying  not  in  men 

Glorying  Not  in  Men. 

Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  a  temple  of  God,  and  that 
the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you?  If  any  man  de- 
stroyeth  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall  God  destroy; 
for  the  temple  of  God  is  holy,  and  such  are  ye. 

Let  no  man  deceive  himself.  If  any  man  thinketh 
that  he  is  wise  among  you  in  this  world,  let  him  become 
a  fool,  that  he  may  become  wise.  For  the  wisdom  of 
this  world  is  foolishness  with  God. 

For  it  is  written,  "He  that  taketh  the  wise  in  their 
craitiness:"  and  again,  "The  Lord  knoweth  the  rea- 
sonings of  the  wise,  that  they  are  vain." 

Wherefore  let  no  one  glory  in  men.  For  all  things 
are  yours;  whether  Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas,  or  the 
world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present,  or  things 
to  come;  all  are  yours;  and  ye  are  Christ's;  and  Christ 
is  God's. 

Teachers  Under  Christ. 

Let  a  man  so  account  of  us,  as  of  ministers  of  Christ, 
and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God.  Here,  moreover, 
it  is  required  in  stewards,  that  a  man  be  found  faithful. 
But  with  me  it  is  a  very  small  thing  that  I  should  be 
judged  of  you,  or  of  man's  judgment:  yea,  I  judge  not 
mine  own  self.  For  I  know  nothing  against  myself; 
yet  am  1  not  hereby  justified:  but  he  that  jtidgeth  me 
is  the  Lord.  Wherefore  judge  nothing  before  the 
time,  until  the  Lord  come,  who  will  both  bring  to  light 
the  hidden  things  of  darkness,  and  make  manifest  the 
counsels  of  the  hearts;  and  then  shall  each  man  have 
his  praise  from  God. 

A  Sarcastic  Deference. 

Now  these  things,  brethren,  I  have  in  a  figure  trans- 
ferred to  myself  and  Apollos  for  your  sakes;  that  in 


A  LOVING  ADMONITION  55 

US  ye  might  learn  not  to  go  beyond  the  things  which 
are  written;  that  no  one  of  you  be  puffed  up  for  the 
one  against  the  other.  For  who  maketh  thee  to  differ? 
and  what  hast  thou  that  thou  didst  not  receive?  but 
if  thou  didst  receive  it,  why  dost  thou  glory  as  if  thou 
hadst  not  received  it?  Already  are  ye  filled,  already 
ye  are  become  rich,  ye  have  come  to  reign  without  us: 
yea  and  I  would  that  ye  did  reign,  that  we  also  might 
reign  with  you. 

For,  I  think,  God  hath  set  forth  us  the  apostles  last 
of  all,  as  men  doomed  to  death:  for  we  are  made  a 
spectacle  unto  the  world,  both  to  angels  and  men. 
We  are  fools  for  Christ's  sake,  but  ye  are  wise  in  Christ; 
we  are  weak,  but  ye  are  strong;  ye  have  glory,  but  we 
have  dishonor.  Even  unto  this  present  hour  we  both 
liunger,  and  thirst,  and  are  naked,  and  are  buffeted, 
and  have  no  certain  dwelling-place;  and  we  toil,  work- 
ing with  our  own  hands:  being  reviled,  we  bless;  being 
persecuted,  we  endure;  being  defamed,  we  entreat:  we 
are  made  as  the  filth  of  the  world,  the  ofifscouring  of 
all  things,  even  until  now. 

A  Loving  Admonition. 

I  write  not  these  things  to  shame  you  but  to  ad- 
monish you  as  my  beloved  children.  For  though  ye 
have  ten  thousand  tutors  in  Christ,  yet  have  ye  not 
many  fathers;  for  in  Christ  Jesus  I  begat  you  through 
the  gospel.  I  beseech  you  therefore,  be  ye  imitators 
of  me.  For  this  cause  have  I  sent  unto  you  Timothy, 
who  is  my  beloved  and  faithful  child  in  the  Lord,  who 
shall  put  you  in  remembrance  of  my  ways  which  are 
in  Christ,  even  as  I  teach  everywhere  in  every  church. 

Now  some  are  puffed  up,  as  though  I  were  not  com- 
ing to  you.  But  I  will  come  to  you  shortly,  if  the  Lord 
will;  and  I  will  know,  not  the  word  of  them  that  are 
puffed  up,  but  the  power.     For  the  kingdom  of  God  is 


56  THE   REPORTED  SCANDAL 

not  in  word,  but  in  povs-e^-.  What  will  ye?  shall  I  come 
unto  you  with  a  rod,  or  in  love  and  a  spirit  of  gentle- 
ness? 

The  Reported  Scandal. 

It  is  actually  reported  that  there  is  fornication  among 
you,  and  such  fornication  as  is  not  even  among  the 
Gentiles,  that  one  of  you  hath  his  father's  wife.  And 
ye  are  puffed  up,  and  did  not  rather  mourn,  that  he 
that  had  done  this  deed  might  be  taken  away  from 
among  you. 

The  Necessity  of  Discipline. 

For  I  verily,  being  absent  in  body  but  present  in 
spirit,  have  already  as  though  I  were  present  judged 
him  that  hath  so  wrought  this  thing,  in  the  name  of  our 
Lord  Jesus,  ye  being  gathered  together,  and  my  spirit, 
with  the  power  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  to  deliver  such  a  one 
unto  Satan  for  the  destruction  of  the  flesh,  that  the 
spirit  may  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

Your  glorying  is  not  good.  Know  ye  not  that  a 
little  leaven  leaveneth  the  whole  lump?  Purge  out  the 
old  leaven,  that  ye  may  be  a  new  lump,  even  as  ye  are 
unleavened.  For  our  passover  also  hath  been  sacri- 
ficed, even  Christ:  wherefore  let  us  keep  the  feast,  not 
with  old  leaven,  neither  with  the  leaven  of  malice 
and  wickedness,  but  with  the  unleavened  bread  of 
sincerity  and  truth. 

A  Former  Letter  of  Counsel. 

1  wrote  unto  you  in  my  epistle  to  have  no  company 
with  fornicators;  not  at  all  meaning  with  the  fornica- 
tors of  this  world,  or  with  the  covetous  and  extortioners, 
or  with  idolaters;  for  then  must  ye  needs  go  out  of  the 
world:  but  as  it  is,  I  wrote  unto  you  not  to  keep  com- 
pany, if  any  man  that  is  named  a  brother  be  a  forni- 


LAWSUITS    BETWEEN   BRETHREN  57 

cator,  or  covetous,  or  an  idolater,  or  a  reviler,  or  a 
drunkard,  or  an  extortioner;  with  such  a  one  no,  not 
to  eat.  For  what  have  I  to  do  with  judging  them  that 
are  without?  Do  not  ye  judge  them  that  are  within? 
But  them  that  are  without  God  judgeth.  Put  away 
the  wicked  man  from  among  yourselves. 

Lawsuits  Between   Brethren. 

Dare  any  of  you,  having  a  matter  against  his  neigh- 
bor, go  to  law  before  the  unrighteous,  and  not  before 
the  saints?  Or  know  ye  not  that  the  saints  shall 
judge  the  world?  and  if  the  world  is  judged  by  you, 
are  ye  unworthy  to  judge  the  smallest  matters? 
Know  ye  not  that  we  shall  judge  angels?  how  much 
more,  things  that  pertain  to  this  life? 

If  then  ye  have  to  judge  things  pertaining  to  this 
life,  do  ye  set  them  to  judge  who  are  of  no  account  in 
the  church?  I  say  this  to  move  you  to  shame.  What, 
cannot  there  be  found  among  you  one  wise  man  who 
shall  be  able  to  decide  between  his  brethren,  but 
brother  goeth  to  law  with  brother,  and  that  before 
unbelievers? 

Nay,  already  it  is  altogether  a  defect  in  you,  that  ye 
have  lawsuits  one  with  another.  Why  not  rather  take 
wrong?  why  not  rather  be  defrauded?  Nay,  but  ye 
yourselves  do  wrong,  and  defraud,  and  that  your 
brethren. 

Solemn  Warning. 

Or  know  ye  not  that  the  unrighteous  shall  not  inherit 
the  kingdom  of  God?  Be  not  deceived:  neither  for- 
nicators, nor  idolaters,  nor  adulterers,  nor  effeminate, 
nor  abusers  of  themselves  with  men,  nor  thieves,  nor 
covetous,  nor  drunkards,  nor  revilers,  nor  extortioners, 
shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God.  And  such  were 
some  of  you:  but  ye  were  washed,  but  ye  were  sancti- 


58  THE   LAW  OF  CHASTITY 

fied,  but  ye  were  justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  Spirit  of  our  God. 

The  Law  of  Chastity. 

All  things  are  lawful  for  me;  but  not  all  things  are 
expedient.  All  things  are  lawful  for  me;  but  I  will 
not  be  brought  under  the  power  of  any.  Meats  for  the 
belly,  and  the  belly  for  meats:  but  God  shall  bring  to 
nought  both  it  and  them.  But  the  body  is  not  for 
fornication,  but  for  the  Lord;  and  the  Lord  for  the 
body:  and  God  both  raised  the  Lord,  and  will  raise 
up  us  through  his  power. 

Know  ye  not  that  your  bodies  are  members  of  Christ? 
shall  I  then  take  away  the  members  of  Christ,  and 
make  them  members  of  a  harlot?  God  forbid.  Or 
know  ye  not  that  he  that  is  joined  to  a  harlot  is  one 
body?  for,  "The  twain,"  saith  he,  "shall  become  one 
flesh."  But  he  that  is  joined  unto  the  Lord  is  one 
spirit. 

Flee  fornication.  Every  sin  that  a  man  doeth  is 
without  the  body;  but  he  that  committeth  fornication 
sinneth  against  his  own  body.  Or  know  ye  not  that 
your  body  is  a  temple  of  the  Holy  Spirit  which  is  in 
you,  which  ye  have  from  God?  and  ye  are  not  your 
own;  for  ye  were  bought  with  a  price:  glorify  God 
therefore  in  your  body. 

Celibacy  and  Marriage. 

Now  concerning  the  things  whereof  ye  wrote:  It 
is  good  for  a  man  not  to  touch  a  woman.  But,  because 
of  fornications,  let  each  man  have  his  own  wife,  and 
let  each  woman  have  her  own  husband. 

Let  the  husband  render  unto  the  wife  her  due:  and 
likewise  also  the  wife  unto  the  husband.  The  wife 
hath  not  power  over  her  own  body,  but  the  husband: 


THE   BE'LIEVER  AND  THE   UNBELIEVER  59 

and  likewise  also  the  husband  hath  not  power  over 
his  own  body,  but  the  wife.  Defraud  ye  not  one  the 
other,  except  it  be  by  consent  for  a  season,  that  ye 
may  give  yourselves  unto  prayer,  and  may  be  together 
again,  that  Satan  tempt  you  not  because  of  your  in- 
continency. 

But  this  I  say  by  way  of  concession,  not  of  command- 
ment. Yet  I  would  that  all  men  were  even  as  I  myself. 
Howbeit  each  man  hath  his  own  gift  from  God,  one 
after  this  manner,  and  another  after  that. 

But  I  say  to  the  unmarried  and  to  widows,  It  is  good 
for  them  if  they  abide  even  as  I.  But  if  they  have  not 
continency,  let  them  marry:  for  it  is  better  to  marry 
than  to  burn. 

But  unto  the  married  I  give  charge,  yea  not  I,  but 
the  Lord,  That  the  wife  depart  not  from  her  husband 
(but  should  she  depart,  let  her  remain  unmarried,  or 
else  be  reconciled  to  her  husband) ;  and  that  the  hus- 
band leave  not  his  wife. 

The  Believer  and  the  Unbeliever. 

But  to  the  rest  say  I,  not  the  Lord:  If  any  brother 
hath  an  unbelieving  wife,  and  she  is  content  to  dwell 
with  him,  let  him  not  leave  her.  And  the  woman  that 
hath  an  unbelieving  husband,  and  he  is  content  to 
dwell  with  her,  let  her  not  leave  her  husband.  For 
the  unbelieving  husband  is  sanctified  in  the  wife, 
and  the  unbelieving  wife  is  sanctified  in  the  brother: 
else  were  your  children  unclean;  but  now  are  they  holy. 

Yet  if  the  unbelieving  departeth,  let  him  depart: 
the  brother  or  the  sister  is  not  under  bondage  in  such 
cases:  but  God  hath  called  us  in  peace.  For  how 
knowest  thou,  O  wife,  whether  thou  shalt  save  thy 
husband?  or  how  knowest  thou,  O  husband,  whether 
thou  shalt  save  thy  wife?     Only,   as  the  Lord  hath 


GO  CHRISTIANITY  SANCTIFIES   EVERY  STATE 

distributed  to  each  man,  as  God  hath  called  each,  so 
let  him  walk.     And  so  ordain  I  in  all  the  churches. 

Christianity  Sanctifies  Every  State. 

Was  any  man  called  being  circumcised?  let  him  not 
become  uncircumcised.  Hath  any  been  called  in 
uncircumcision  ?  let  him  not  be  circumcised.  Cir- 
cumcision is  nothing,  and  uncircumcision  is  nothing; 
but  the  keeping  of  the  commandments  of  God.  Let 
each  man  abide  in  that  calling  wherein  he  was  called. 

Wast  thou  called  being  a  bondservant?  care  not  for 
it:  nay,  even  if  thou  canst  become  free,  use  it  rather. 
For  he  that  was  called  in  the  Lord  being  a  bondservant, 
is  the  Lord's  freedman:  likewise  he  that  was  called 
being  free,  is  Christ's  bondservant.  Ye  were  bought 
with  a  price;  become  not  bondservants  of  men.  Breth- 
ren, let  each  man,  wherein  he  was  called,  therein  abide 
with  God. 

Special  Reasons  for  Celibacy. 

Now  concerning  virgins  I  have  no  commandment 
of  the  Lord:  but  I  give  my  judgment,  as  one  that 
hath  obtained  mercy  of  the  Lord  to  be  trustworthy. 
I  think  therefore  that  this  is  good  by  reason  of  the  dis- 
tress that  is  upon  us,  namely,  that  it  is  good  for  a 
man  to  be  as  he  is. 

Art  thou  bound  unto  a  wife?  seek  not  to  be  loosed. 
Art  thou  loosed  from  a  wife?  seek  not  a  wife. 

But  shouldst  thou  marry,  thou  hast  not  sinned;  and 
if  a  virgin  marry,  she  hath  not  sinned.  Yet  such  shall 
have  tribulation  in  the  flesh:  and  I  would  spare  you. 

But  this  I  say,  brethren,  the  time  is  shortened,  that 
henceforth  both  those  that  have  wives  may  be  as  though 
they  had  none;  and  those  that  weep,  as  though  they 
wept  not;  and  those  that  rejoice,  as  though  they  re- 


CAUTIOUS   CONDUCT  OF  A  LIBERAL  MAN  61 

joiced  not ;  and  those  that  buy,  as  though  they  possessed 
not;  and  those  that  use  the  world,  as  not  using  it  to 
the  full:  for  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away. 

But  I  would  have  you  to  be  free  from  cares.  He 
that  is  unmarried  is  careful  for  the  things  of  the  Lord, 
how  he  may  please  the  Lord :  but  he  that  is  married  is 
careful  for  the  things  of  the  world,  how  he  may  please 
his  wife,  and  is  divided.  So  also  the  woman  that  is 
unmarried  and  the  virgin  is  careful  for  the  things  of 
the  Lord,  that  she  may  be  holy  both  in  body  and  in 
spirit:  but  she  that  is  married  is  careful  for  the  things 
of  the  world,  how  she  may  please  her  husband.  And 
this  I  say  for  your  own  profit;  not  that  I  may  cast  a 
snare  upon  you,  but  for  that  which  is  seemly,  and  that 
ye   may  attend   upon   the   Lord   without    distraction. 

But  if  any  man  thinketh  that  he  behaveth  himself 
unseemly  toward  his  virgin  daughter,  if  she  be  past  the 
flower  of  her  age,  and  if  need  so  requireth,  let  him  do 
what  he  will;  he  sinneth  not;  let  them  marry.  But  he 
that  standeth  stedfast  in  his  heart,  having  no  necessity, 
but  hath  power  as  touching  his  own  will,  and  hath  de- 
termined this  in  his  own  heart,  to  keep  his  own  virgin 
daughter,  shall  do  well.  So  then  both  he  that  giveth 
his  own  virgin  daughter  in  marriage  doeth  well;  and 
he  that  giveth  her  not  in  marriage  shall  do  better. 

A  wife  is  bound  for  so  long  time  as  her  husband 
liveth;  but  if  the  husband  be  dead,  she  is  free  to  be 
married  to  whom  she  will;  only  in  the  Lord.  But 
she  is  happier  if  she  abide  as  she  is,  after  my  judgment: 
and  I  think  that  I  also  have  the  spirit  of  God 

Cautious  Conduct  of  a  Liberal  Man. 

Now  concerning  things  sacrificed  to  idols:  We  know 
that  we  all  have  knowledge.  Knowledge  puffeth  up, 
but    love    edifieth.     If    any    man    thinketh    that    he 


62  Paul's  apostolic  rights 

knoweth  anything,  he  knoweth  not  yet  as  he  ought  to 
know;  but  if  any  man  loveth  God,  the  same  is  known 
by  him. 

Concerning  therefore  the  eating  of  things  sacri- 
ficed to  idols,  we  know  that  no  idol  is  anything  in 
the  world,  and  that  there  is  no  God  but  one.  FoJ 
though  there  be  that  are  called  gods,  whether  in  heaven 
or  on  earth;  as  there  are  gods  many,  and  lords  many; 
yet  to  us  there  is  one  God,  the  Father,  of  whom  are  all 
things,  and  we  unto  him;  and  one  Lord,  Jesus  Christ, 
through  whom  are  all  things,   and  we  through  him. 

Howbeit  there  is  not  in  all  men  that  knowledge: 
but  some,  being  used  until  now  to  the  idol,  eat  as  of 
a  thing  sacrificed  to  an  idol;  and  their  conscience  being 
weak  is  defiled.  But  food  will  not  commend  us  to 
God;  neither,  if  we  eat  not,  are  we  the  worse;  nor,  if 
we  eat,  are  vv^e  the  better. 

But  take  heed  lest  by  any  means  this  liberty  oi 
yours  become  a  sturnblingblock  to  the  weak.  Foi 
if  a  man  see  thee  who  hast  knowledge  sitting  at  meat 
in  an  idol's  temple,  will  not  his  conscience,  if  he  is 
weak,  be  emboldened  to  eat  things  sacrificed  to  idols? 
For  through  thy  knowledge  he  that  is  weak  perisheth, 
the  brother  for  whose  sake  Christ  died.  And  thus 
sinning  against  the  brethren,  and  wounding  their 
conscience  when  it  is  weak,  ye  sin  against  Christ. 
Wherefore,  if  meat  causeth  my  brother  to  stumble,  I 
will  eat  no  flesh  for  evermore,  that  I  cause  not  my 
brother  to  stumble. 

Paul's  Apostolic  Rights. 

Am  1  not  free?  am  1  not  an  apostle?  have  I  not  seen 
Jesus  our  Lord?  are  not  ye  m}?'  work  in  the  Lord?  If 
to  others  I  am  not  an  apostle,  yet  at  least  1  am  to  you, 
for  the  seal  of  mine  apostlesliip  are  ye  in  the  Lord. 


THE   RIGHT  TO  FOREGO  RIGHTS  63 

My  defense  to  them  that  examine  me  is  this.  Have 
we  no  right  to  eat  and  to  drink?  Have  we  no  right 
to  lead  about  a  wife  that  is  a  believer,  even  as  the  rest 
of  the  apostles,  and  the  brethren  of  the  Lord,  and 
Cephas?  Or  I  only  and  Barnabas,  have  we  not  a 
right  to  forbear  working? 

What  soldier  ever  serveth  at  his  own  charges?  who 
planteth  a  vineyard,  and  eateth  not  the  fruit  thereof? 
or  who  feedeth  a  flock,  and  eateth  not  of  the 
milk  of  the  fiock  ?  Do  I  speak  these  things  after  the 
manner  of  men?  or    saith  not  the  law  also  the  same? 

For  it  is  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  "Thou  shalt 
not  muzzle  the  ox  when  he  treadeth  out  the  corn."  Is 
it  for  the  oxen  that  God  careth,  or  saith  he  it  as- 
suredly for  our  sake?  Yea,  for  our  sake  it  was 
written:  because  he  that  ploweth  ought  to  plow  in 
hope,  and  he  that  thresheth,  to  thresh  in  hope  of 
partaking.  If  we  sowed  unto  you  spiritual  things, 
is  it  a  great  matter  if  we  shall  reap  your  carnal 
things?  If  others  partake  of  this  right  over  you,  do 
not  we  yet  more?  Nevertheless  we  did  not  use  this 
right;  but  we  bear  all  things,  that  we  may  cause  no 
hindrance  to  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

Know  ye  not  that  they  that  minister  about  sacred 
things  eat  of  the  things  of  the  temple,  and  they  that 
wait  upon  the  altar  have  their  portion  with  the  altar? 
Even  so  did  the  Lord  ordain  that  they  that  proclaim 
the  gospel  should  live  of  the  gospel. 

The  Right  to  Forego  Rights. 

But  I  have  used  none  of  these  things:  and  I  write 
not  these  things  that  it  may  be  so  done  in  my  case; 
for  it  were  good  for  me  rather  to  die,  than  that  any 
man  should  make  my  glorying  void.  For  if  I  preach 
the  gospel,  I  have  nothing  to  glory  of;  for  necessity 


64  LESSONS   FROM  THE   PAST 

is  laid  upon  me;  for  woe  is  unto  me,  if  I  preach  not 
the  gospel  For  if  I  do  this  of  mine  own  will,  I 
have  a  reward:  but  if  not  of  mine  own  will,  I  have  a 
stewardship  intrusted  to  me. 

What  then  is  my  reward?  That,  when  I  preach  the 
gospel,  I  may  make  the  gospel  without  charge,  so  as 
not  to  use  to  the  full  my  right  in  the  gospel. 

For  though  I  was  free  from  all  men,  I  brought  myself 
•under  bondage  to  all,  that  I  might  gain  the  more. 
And  to  the  Jews  I  became  as  a  Jew,  that  I  might  gain 
jews;  to  them  that  are  under  the  law,  as  under  the 
law,  not  being  myself  under  the  law,  that  I  might  gain 
them  that  are  under  the  law;  to  them  that  are  without 
law,  as  without  law,  not  being  without  law  to  God,  but 
under  law  to  Christ,  that  I  might  gain  them  that  are 
without  law.  To  the  weak  I  became  weak,  that  1 
might  gain  the  weak :  I  am  become  all  things  to  all 
men,  that  I  may  by  all  means  save  some.  And  I  do 
all  things  for  the  gospel's  sake,  that  I  may  be  a  joint 
partaker  therepf^ 

Know  ye  not  that  they  that  run  in  a  race  run  all, 
but  one  receiveth  the  prize?  Even  so  run;  that  ye 
may  attain.  And  every  man  that  striveth  in  the 
games  exerciseth  self-control  in  all  things.  Now  they 
do  it  to  receive  a  corruptible  crown;  but  we  an  in- 
corruptible. I  therefore  so  run,  as  not  uncertainly; 
so  fight  I,  as  not  beating  the  air:  but  I  buffet  my  body, 
and  bring  it  into  bondage:  lest  by  aiiy  means,  after 
that  I  have  preached  to  others.  I  myself  should  be 
rejected. 

Lessons  from  the  Past. 

For  I  would  not,  brethren,  have  yon  ignorant,  that 
our  fathers  were  all  under  the  cloud,  and  all  passed 
through  the  sea;  and  were  all  baptized  unto  Moses  in 
the  cloud  and  in  the  sea;  and  did  all  eat  the  same 


THE  TEMPTATION   OF  IDOLATRY         .  G5 

Spiritual  food;  and  did  all  drink  the  same  spiritual 
drink:  for  they  drank  of  a  spiritual  rock  that  followed 
them:  and  the  rock  was  Christ.  Howbeit  with  most 
of  them  God  was  not  well  pleased:  for  they  were  over- 
thrown in  the  wilderness. 

Now  these  things  were  our  exam^ples,  to  the  intent 
we  should  not  lust  after  evil  things,  as  they  also  lusted. 
Neither  be  ye  idolaters,  as  were  some  of  them;  as  it. is 
written,  "The  people  sat  down  to  eat  and  drink,  and 
rose  up  to  play."  Neither  let  us  commit  fornication, 
as  some  of  them  committed,  and  fell  in  one  day  three 
and  twenty  thousand.  Neither  let  us  make  trial  of 
the  Lord,  as  some  of  them  made  trial,  and  perished 
by  the  serpents.  Neither  murmur  ye,  as  some  of  them 
murmured,  and  perished  by  the  destroyer.  Now  these 
things  happened  unto  them  by  way  of  example;  and 
they  were  written  for  our  admonition,  upon  whom  the 
ends  of  the  ages  are  come.  Wherefore  let  him  that 
thinketh  he  standeth  take  heed  lest  he  fall. 

The  Temptation  of  Idolatry. 

There  hath  no  temptation  taken  you  but  such  as 
man  can  bear:  but  God  is  faithful,  who  will  not  suffer 
you  to  be  tempted  above  that  ye  are  able;  but  will 
with  the  temptation  make  also  the  way  of  escape, 
that  ye  may  be  able  to  endure  it. 

Wherefore,  my  beloved,  flee  from  idolatry.  I  speak 
as  to  wise  men;  judge  ye  what  I  say.  The  cup  of 
blessing  which  we  bless,  is  it  not  a  communion  of  tiie 
blood  of  Christ?  The  bread  which  we  break,  is  it  not  a 
communion  of  the  body  of  Christ?  seeing  that  we, 
who  are  many,  are  one  bread,  one  body:  for  we  all 
partake  of  the  one  bread.  Behold  Israel  after  the 
flesh:  have  not  they  that  eat  the  sacriflces  commu- 
nion with  the  altar? 


66  A  QUESTION  OF  PRINCIPLE 

A  Question  of  Principle. 

What  say  I  then?  that  a  thing  sacrificed  to  idols  is 
anything,  or  that  an  idol  is  anything?  But  I  say,  that 
the  things  which  the  Gentiles  sacrifice,  they  sacrifice 
to  demons,  and  not  to  God:  and  I  would  not  that  ye 
should  have  communion  with  demons. 

Ye  cannot  drink  the  cup  of  the  Lord,  and  the  cup  of 
demons :  ye  cannot  partake  of  the  table  of  the  Lord, 
and  of  the  table  of  demons.  Or  do  we  provoke  the 
Lord  to  jealousy?  are  we  stronger  than  he? 

Questions  of  Expediency. 

All  things  are  lawful;  but  not  all  things  are  ex- 
pedient. All  things  are  lawful;  but  not  all  thmgs 
edify.  Let  no  man  seek  his  own,  but  each  his  neigh- 
bor's good. 

Whatsoever  is  sold  in  the  shambles,  eat,  asking  no 
question  for  conscience'  sake ;  for  the  earth  is  the  Lord's, 
and  the  fulness  thereof. 

If  one  of  them  that  believe  not  biddeth  you  to  a 
feast,  and  ye  are  disposed  to  go;  whatsoever  is  set  be- 
fore you,  eat,  asking  no  question  for  conscience'  sake. 
But  if  any  man  say  unto  you,  This  hath  been  offered 
in  sacrifice,  eat  not,  for  his  sake  that  showed  it,  and  for 
conscience'  sake:  conscience,  I  say,  not  thine  own, 
but  the  other's;  for  wh}'-  is  my  liberty  judged  by  an- 
other conscience?  If  I  partake  with  thankfulness, 
why  am  I  evil  spoken  of  for  that  for  which  I  give 
thanks?  Whether  therefore  ye  eat,  or  drink,  or  what- 
soever ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God. 

Give  no  occasion  of  stumbling,  either  to  Jews,  or  to 
Greeks,  or  to  the  church  of  God:  even  as  I  also  please 
all  men  in  all  things,  not  seeking  mine  own  profit,  but 
the  profit  of  the  many,  that  they  may  be  saved.  Be 
ye  imitators  of  me,  even  as  I  also  am  of  Christ. 


womanly  modesty  67 

Womanly  Modesty. 

Now  I  praise  you  that  ye  remember  me  in  all  things, 
and  hold  fast  the  traditions,  even  as  I  delivered  them 
to  you. 

But  I  would  have  you  know,  that  the  head  of  every 
man  is  Christ;  and  the  head  of  the  woman  is  the  man; 
and  the  head  of  Christ  is  God.  Every  man  praying 
or  prophesying,  having  his  head  covered,  dishonoreth 
his  head.  But  every  woman  praying  or  prophesying 
with  her  head  unveiled  dishonoreth  her  head;  for  it 
is  one  and  the  same  thing  as  if  she  were  shaven.  For 
if  a  woman  is  not  veiled,  let  her  also  be  shorn:  but  if  it 
is  a  shame  to  a  woman  to  be  shorn  or  shaven,  let  her 
be  veiled. 

For  a  man  indeed  ought  not  to  have  his  head  veiled, 
forasmuch  as  he  is  the  image  and  glory  of  God :  but  the 
woman  is  the  glory  of  the  man.  For  the  man  is  not  of 
the  woman;  but  the  woman  of  the  man:  for  neither  was 
the  man  created  for  the  woman;  but  the  woman  for 
the  man:  for  this  cause  ought  the  woman  to  have  a 
sign  of  authority  on  her  head,  because  of  the  angels. 

Nevertheless,  neither  is  the  woman  without  the  man, 
nor  the  man  without  the  woman,  in  the  Lord.  For 
as  the  woman  is  of  the  m.an,  so  is  the  man  also  by  the 
woman;  but  all  things  are  of  God. 

Judge  ye  in  yourselves:  is  it  seemly  that  a  woman 
pray  unto  God  unveiled?  Doth  not  even  nature  it- 
self teach  you,  that,  if  a  man  have  long  hair,  it  is  a 
dishonor  to  him?  But  if  a  woman  have  long  hair,  it 
is  a  glory  to  her:  for  her  hair  is  given  her  for  a  covering. 
But  if  any  man  seemeth  to  be  contentious,  we  have 
no  such  custom,  neither  the  churches  of  God, 

Church  Dissensions. 

But  in  giving  you  this  charge,  I  praise  vou  not,  that 


68  THE    CIiU:iCH   SUPPER 

ye  come  together  not  for  the  better  but  for  the  worse. 
For  first  of  all,  when  ye  coriie  together  in  the  church, 
I  hear  that  divisions  exist  among  you  and  I  partly 
believe  it.  For  there  must  be  also  factions  among  you, 
that  they  that  are  approved  may  be  made  manifest 
among  you. 

.  The  Church  Supper. 

When  therefore  ye  assemble  yourselves  together, 
it  is  not  possible  to  eat  the  Lord's  supper:  for  in  your 
eating  each  one  taketh  before  other  his  own  supper; 
and  one  is  hungry,  and  another  is  drunken.  What, 
have  ye  not  houses  to  eat  and  to  drink  in?  or  despise 
ye  the  church  of  God,  and  put  them  to  shame  that  have 
not?  What  shall  I  say  to  you?  shall  I  praise  you?  In 
this  I  praise  you  not. 

The  Lord's  Supper. 
For  I  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  also  I  delivered 
unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  in  the  night  in  which  he 
was  betrayed  took  bread ;  and  when  he  had  given  thanks, 
he  brake  it,  and  said,  "This  is  my  body,  which  is  for 
you:  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me."  In  like  manner 
also  the  cup,  after  supper,  saying,  "Th's  cup  is  the  new 
covenant  in  my  blood:  this  do,  as  often  as  ye  drink  it, 
in  remembrance  of  me."  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this 
bread,  and  drink  the  cup,  ye  proclaim  the  Lord's 
death  till  he  come. 

Decorum  in  the  Communion. 

Wherefore  whosoever  shall  eat  the  bread  or  drink 
the  cup  of  the  Lord  in  an  unworthy  manner,  shall  be 
guilty  of  the  body  and  the  blood  of  the  Lord.  But 
let  a  man  prove  himself,  and  so  let  him  eat  of  the  bread, 
and  drink  of  the  cup.  For  he  that  eateth  and  drinketh, 
cateth  and  drinketh  judgment  unto  himself,  if  he  dis- 
cern  not    the   body. 


SPIRITUAL  GIFTS  69 

For  this  cause  many  among  you  are  weak  and  sickly, 
and  not  a  few  sleep.  But  if  we  discerned  ourselves, 
we  should  not  be  judged.  But  when  we  are  judged, 
we  are  chastened  of  the  Lord,  that  we  may  not  be  con- 
demned with  the  world.      , 

Wherefore,  my  brethren,  when  ye  come  together  to 
eat,  wait  one  for  another.  If  any  man  is  hungry,  let 
him  eat  at  home ;  that  your  coming  together  be  not  unto 
judgment.  And  the  rest  will  I  set  in  order  whensoever 
I  come. 

Spiritual  Gifts. 

Now  concerning  spiritual  gifts,  brethren,  I  would 
not  have  you  ignorant.  Ye  know  that  when  ye  were 
Gentiles  ye  were  led  away  unto  those  dumb  idols, 
howsoever  ye  might  be  led.  Wherefore  I  make  known 
unto  you,  that  no  man  speaking  in  the  Spirit  of  God 
saith,  "Jesus  is  anathema;"  and  no  man  can  say, 
"Jesus  is  Lord,"  but  in  the  Holy  Spirit. 

One  Spirit:  Many  Gifts. 

Now  there  are  diversities  of  gifts,  but  the  same  Spirit. 
And  there  are  diversities  of  ministrations,  and  the  same 
Lord.  And  there  are  diversities  of  workings,  but  the 
same  God,  who  worketh  all  things  in  all.  But  to  each 
one  is  given  the  manifestation  of  the  Spirit  to  profit 
withal. 

For  to  one  is  given  through  the  Spirit  the  word  of 
wisdom;  and  to  another  the  word  of  knowledge,  ac 
cording  to  the  same  Spirit:  to  another  faith,  in  the  same 
Spirit;  and  to  another  gifts  of  healings,  in  the  one 
Spirit;  and  to  another  workings  of  miracles;  and  to  an- 
other prophecy;  and  to  another  disccrnings  of  spirits: 
to  another  divers  kinds  of  tongues;  and  to  another  the 
interpretation  of  tongues :  but  all  these  *worketh  the 


70  ONE  body:  many  members 

one  and  the  same  Spirit,  dividing  to  each  one  severally 
even  as  he  will. 

One  Body:  Many  Members. 

For  as  the  body  is  one,  -and  hath  many  members, 
and  all  the  members  of  the  body,  being  many,  are  one 
body;  so  also  is  Christ.  For  in  one  Spirit  were  we  all 
baptized  into  one  body,  whether  Jews  or  Greeks, 
whether  bond  or  free;  and  were  all  made  to  drink  of 
one  Spirit.  Foi  the  body  is  not  one  member,  but 
many. 

If  the  foot  shall  say,  "Because  I  am  not  the  hand,  1 
am  not  of  the  body;"  it  is  not  therefore  not  of  the 
body. 

And  if  the  ear  shall  say,  "Because  I  am  not  the  eye, 
I  am  not  of  the  body;"  it  is  not  therefore  not  of  the 
body. 

If  the  whole  body  were  an  eye,  where  were  the  hear- 
ing? If  the  whole  were  hearing,  where  were  the  smell- 
ing? But  now  hath  God  set  the  members  each  one  of 
them  in  the  body,  even  as  it  pleased  him.  And  if  they 
were  all  one  member,  where  were  the' body?  But  now 
they  are  many  members,  but  one  body. 

And  the  eye  cannot  say  to  the  hand,  "I  have  no  need 
of  thee:"  or  again  the  head  to  the  feet,  "I  have  no  need 
of  you." 

Nay,  much  rather,  those  members  of  the  body  which 
seem  to  be  more  feeble  are  necessary:  and  those  parts 
of  the  body,  which  we  think  to  be  less  honorable,  upon 
these  we  bestow -more  abundant  honor;  and  our  un- 
comely parts  have  more  abundant  comeliness;  whereas 
our  comely  parts  have  no  need :  but  God  tempered  the 
body  together,  giving  more  abundant  honor  to  that 
part  which  lacked;  that  there  should  be  no  schism  in 
the  body;  but  that  the  members  should  have  the  same 


THE   VARIOUS  GIFTS  71 

care  one  for  another.  And  whether  one  member 
suffereth,  all  the  members  suffer  with  it;  or  one  member 
is  honored,  all  the  members  rejoice  with  it. 

The  Various  Gifts. 

Now  ye  are  the  body  of  Christ,  and  severally  mem- 
bers thereof.  And  God  hath  set  some  in  the  church, 
first  apostles,  secondly  prophets,  thirdly  teachers,  then 
miracles,  then  gifts  of  healings,  helps,  governments, 
diyers  kinds  of  tougues.  Are  all  apostles?  are  all 
prophets?  are  all  teachers?  are  all  workers  of  miracles? 
have  all  gifts  of  healings?  do  all  speak  with  tongues? 
do  all  interpret  ?     But  desire  earnestly  the  greater  gifts. 

The  Most  Excellent  Way. 

And  moreover  a  most  excellent  way  show  I  unto  you. 

If  I  speak  with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of  angels, 
but  have  not  love,  I  am  become  sounding  brass,  or  a 
clanging  cymbal.  And  if  I  have  the  gift  of  prophecy, 
and  know  all  mysteries  and  all  knowledge;  and  if  I 
have  all  faith,  so  as  to  remove  mountains,  but  have 
not  love,  I  am  nothing.  And  if  I  bestow  all  my  goods 
to  feed  the  poor,  and  if  I  give  my  body  to  be  burned, 
but  have  not  love,  it  profiteth  me  nothing. 

The  Graciousness  of  Love. 

Love  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind;  love  envieth  not; 
love  vaunteth  not  itself,  is  not  puffed  up,  doth  not  be- 
have itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not  its  own,  is  not  pro- 
voked, taketh  not  account  of  evil;  rejoiceth  not  in  un- 
righteousness, but  rejoiceth  with  the  truth;  beareth  all 
things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things,  endur- 
eth  all  things. 


72  the  permanence  of  love 

The  Permanence  of  Love. 

Love  never  faileth:  but  whether  there  be  prophecies, 
they  shall  be  done  away;  whether  there  be  tongues, 
they  shall  cease;  whether  there  be  knowledge,  it  shall 
be  done  away.  For  we  know  in  part,  and  we  prophesy 
in  part;  but  when  that  which  is  perfect  is  come,  that 
which  is  in  part  shall  be  done  away. 

The  Primacy  of  Love. 

When  I  was  a  child,  I  spake  as  a  child,  I  felt  as  a 
child,  I  thought  as  a  child:  now  that  I  am  become  a 
man,  I  have  put  away  childish  things.  For  now  we 
see  in  a  mirror,  darkly;  but  then  face  to  face:  now  I 
know  in  part;  but  then  shall  I  know  fully  even  as  also 
I  was  fully  known.  But  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  love, 
these  three;  and  the  greatest  of  these  is  love. 

Edification  Better  than  Ecstasy. 

Follow  after  love;  yet  desire  earnestly  spiritual  gifts, 
but  rather  that  ye  may  prophesy.  For  he  that  speak- 
eth  in  a  tongue  speaketh  not  unto  men,  but  unto  God; 
for  no  man  understandeth ;  but  in  the  spirit  he  speak- 
eth mysteries.  But  he  that  prophesieth  speaketh  unto 
men  edification,  and  exhortation,  and  consolation.  He 
that  speaketh  in  a  tongue  edifieth  himself;  but  he  that 
prophesieth  edifieth  the  church.  Now  I  would  have 
you  all  speak  with  tongues,  but  rather  that  ye  should 
prophesy:  and  greater  is  he  that  prophesieth  than  he 
that  speaketh  with  tongues,  except  he  interpret,  that 
the  church  may  receive  edifying.  But  now,  brethren, 
if  I  come  unto  you  speaking  with  tongues,  what  shall  I 
profit  you,  unless  I  speak  to  you  either  by  way  of  reve- 
lation, or  of  knowledge,  or  of  prophesying,  or  of  teach- 
ing. 


EDIFICATION   BETTER  THAN  ECSTASY  73 

Even  things  without  life,  giving  a  voice,  whether 
pipe  or  harp,  if  they  give  not  a  distinction  in  the 
sounds,  how  shall  it  be  known  what  is  piped  or  harped? 
For  if  the  trumpet  give  an  uncertain  voice,  who  shall 
prepare  himself  for  war?  So  also  ye,  unless  ye  utter 
by  the  tongue  speech  easy  to  be  understood,  how  shall 
it  be  known  what  is  spoken?  for  ye  will  be  speaking 
into  the  air.  There  are,  it  may  be,  so  many  kinds  of 
voices  in  the  world,  and  no  kind  is  without  significa- 
tion. If  then  I  know  not  the  meaning  of  the  voice,  I 
shall  be  to  him  that  speaketh  a  barbarian,  and  he  that 
speaketh  will  be  a  barbarian  unto  me. 

So  also  ye,  since  ye  are  zealous  of  spiritual  gifts, 
seek  that  ye  may  abound  unto  the  edifying  of  the 
church.  Wherefore  let  him  that  speaketh  in  a  tongue 
pray  that  he  may  interpret. 

For  if  I  pray  in  a  tongue,  my  spirit  prayeth,  but  my 
understanding  is  unfruitful.  What  is  it  then?  I  will 
pray  with  the  spirit,  and  I  will  pray  with  the  under- 
standing also:  I  will  sing  with  the  spirit,  and  I  will  sing 
with  the  understanding  also.  Else  if  thou  bless  with 
the  spirit,  how  shall  he  that  filleth  the  place  of  the  un- 
learned say  the  Amen  at  thy  giving  of  thanks,  seeing 
he  knoweth  not  what  thou  sayest?  For  thou  verily 
givest  thanks  well,  but  the  other  is  not  edified. 

I  thank  God,  I  speak  with  tongues  more  than  you 
all:  howbeit  in  the  church  I  had  rather  speak  five 
words  with  my  understanding,  that  I  might  instruct 
others  also,  than  ten  thousand  words  in  a  tongue. 

Brethren,  be  not  children  in  mind:  yet  in  malice  be 
ye  babes,  but  in  mind  be  men.  In  the  law  it  is  written, 
"By  men  of  strange  tongues  and  by  the  lips  of  strangers 
will  I  speak  unto  this  people;  and  not  even  thus  will 
they  hear  me,  saith  the  Lord." 

Wherefore  tongues  are  for  a  sign,  not  to  them  that 
believe,   but   to   the  unbelieving:   but   prophesying  is 


74  THE   CONDUCT  OF  A  MEETING 

for  a  sign,  not  to  the  unbelieving,  but  to  them  that 
believe. 

If  therefore  the  whole  church  be  assembled  together 
and  all  speak  with  tongues,  and  there  come  in  men 
unlearned  or  unbelieving,  will  they  not  say  that  ye 
are  mad?  But  if  all  prophesy,  and  there  come  in 
one  unbelieving  or  unlearned,  he  is  reproved  by  all, 
he  is  judged  by  all;  the  secrets  of  his  heart  are  made 
manifest;  and  so  he  will  fall  down  on  his  face  and 
worship  God,  declaring  that  God  is  among  you  indeed. 

The  Conduct  of  a  Meeting. 

What  is  it  then,  brethren?  When  ye  come  together, 
each  one  hath  a  psalm,  hath  a  teaching,  hath  a  revela- 
tion, hath  a  tongue,  hath  an  interpretation.  Let  all 
things  be  done  unto  edifying. 

If  any  man  speaketh  in  a  tongue,  let  it  be  by  two, 
or  at  the  most  three,  and  that  in  turn;  and  let  one 
interpret:  but  if  there  be  no  interpreter,  let  him  keep 
silence  in  the  church;  and  let  him  speak  to  himself, 
and  to  God. 

And  let  the  prophets  speak  by  two  or  three,  and  let 
the  others  discern.  But  if  a  revelation  be  made  to 
another  sitting  by,  let  the  first  keep  silence.  For  ye 
all  can  prophesy  one  by  one,  that  all  may  learn,  and 
all  may  be  exhorted;  and  the  spirits  of  the  prophets 
are  subject  to  the  prophets;  for  God  is  not  a  God  of 
confusion,  but  of  peace. 

As  in  all  the  churches  of  the  saints,  let  the  women 
keep  silence  in  the  churches:  for  it  is  not  permitted 
unto  them  to  speak;  but  let  them  be  in  subjection,  as 
also  saith  the  law.  And  if  they  would  learn  anything, 
let  them  ask  their  own  husbands  at  home:  for  it  is 
shameful  for  a  woman  to  speak  in  the  church.  What? 
was  it  from  you  that  the  word  of  God  went  forth?  or 
came  it  unto  you  alone? 


the  authority  of  the  letter  75 

The  Authority  of  the  Letter. 

If  any  man  thinketh  himself  to  be  a  prophet,  or 
spiritual,  let  him  take  knowledge  of  the  things  which 
I  write  unto  you,  that  they  are  the  commandment 
of  the  Lord.  But  if  any  man  is  ignorant,  let  him  be 
ignorant. 

Wherefore,  my  brethren,  desire  earnestly  to  prophesy, 
and  forbid  not  to  speak  with  tongues.  But  let  all 
things  be  done  decently  and  in  order. 

The  Gospel  and  the  Resurrection. 

Now  I  make  known  unto  you,  brethren,  the  gospel 
which  I  preached  unto  you,  which  also  ye  received, 
wherein  also  ye  stand,  by  which  also  ye  are  saved,  if 
ye  hold  fast  the  word  which  I  preached  unto  you,  except 
ye  believed  in  vain. 

For  I  delivered  unto  you  first  of  all  that  which  also 
I  received:  that  Christ  died  for  our  sins  according  to 
the  scriptures;  and  that  he  was  buried;  and  that  he 
hath  been  raised  on  the  third  day  according  to  the 
scriptures;  and  that  he  appeared  to  Cephas;  then  to 
the  twelve;  then  he  appeared  to  above  five  hundred 
brethren  at  once,  of  whom  the  greater  part  remain 
until  now,  but  some  are  fallen  asleep;  then  he  appeared 
to  James;  then  to  all  the  apostles;  and  last  of  all,  as 
to  the  child  untimely  born,  he  appeared  to  me  also. 

For  I  am  the  least  of  the  apostles,  that  am  not  meet 
to  be  called  an  apostle,  because  I  persecuted  the  church 
of  God.  But  by  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am :  and 
his  grace  which  was  bestowed  upon  me  was  not  found 
vain;  but  I  labored  more  abundantly  than  they  all: 
yet  not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God  which  was  with  me. 
Whether  then  it  be  I  or  they,  so  we  preach,  and  so  ye 
believed. 


76  the  denial  of  the  resurrection 

The  Denial  of  the  Resurrection. 

Now  if  Christ  is  preached  that  he  hath  been  raised 
from  the  dead,  how  say  some  among  you  that  there 
is  no  resurrection  of  the  dead?  But  if  there  is  no 
resurrection  of  the  dead,  neither  hath  Christ  been 
raised:  and  if  Christ  hath  not  been  raised,  then  is  our 
preaching  vain,  your  faith  also  is  vain. 

Yea,  and  we  are  found  false  witnesses  of  God ;  because 
we  witnessed  of  God  that  he  raised  up  Christ:  whom 
he  raised  not  up,  if  so  be  that  the  dead  are  not  raised. 
For  if  the  dead  are  not  raised,  neither  hath  Christ  been 
raised:  and  if  Christ  hath  not  been  raised,  your  faith 
is  vain;  ye  are  yet  in  your  sins.  Then  they  also  that 
are  fallen  asleep  in  Christ  have  perished.  If  we  have 
only  hoped  in  Christ  in  this  life,  we  are  of  all  men 
most  pitiable. 

Christ  the  First  Fruits. 

But  now  hath  Christ  been  raised  from  the  dead,  the 
first-fruits  of  them  that  are  asleep.  For  since  by  man 
came  death,  by  man  came  also  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead.  For  as  in  Adam  all  die,  so  also  in  Christ  shall 
all  be  made  alive. 

The  Resurrection  and  the  Consummation. 

But  each  in  his  own  order:  Christ  the  first-fruits; 
then  they  that  are  Christ's,  at  his  coming.  Then 
Cometh  the  end,  when  he  shall  deliver  up  the  kingdom 
to  God,  even  the  Father;  when  he  shall  have  abolished 
all  rule  and  all  authority  and  power.  For  he  must 
reign,  till  he  hath  put  all  his  enemies  under  his  feet. 
The  last  enemy  that  shall  be  abolished  is  death. 

For,  "He  put  all  things  in  subjection  under  his 
feet."  But  when  he  saith,  "All  things  are  put  in 
subjection,"  it  is  evident  that  he  is  excepted  who  did 


THE  RESURRECTION  AS  A  MOTIVE  77 

subject  all  things  unto  him.  And  when  all  things  have 
been  subjected  unto  him,  then  shall  the  Son  also 
himself  be  subjected  to  hi*i  that  did  subject  all  things 
unto  him,  that  God  may  be  all  in  all. 

The  Resurrection  as  a  Motive. 

Else  what  shall  they  do  that  are  baptized  for  the 
dead?  If  the  dead  are  not  raised  at  all,  why  then  are 
they  baptized  for  them?  why  do  we  also  stand  in 
jeopardy  every  hour?  I  protest  by  that  glorying  in 
you,  brethren,  which  I  have  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord, 
I  die  daily.  If  after  the  manner  of  men  I  fought  with 
beasts  at  Ephesus,  what  doth  it  profit  me?  If  the 
dead  are  not  raised,  let  us  eat  and  drink,  for  to-morrow 
we  die.  Be  not  deceived:  Evil  companionships  cor- 
rupt good  morals.  Awake  to  soberness  righteously,  and 
sin  not;  for  some  have  no  knowledge  of  God:  I  speak 
this  to  move  you  to  shame. 

The  Question  of  the  Body. 

But  some  one  will  say,  "How  are  the  dead  raised? 
and  with  what  manner  of  body  do  they  come?" 

Thou  foolish  one,  that  which  thou  thyself  sowest  is 
not  quickened  except  it  die:  and  that  which  thou 
sowest,  thou  sowest  not  the  body  that  shall  be,  but  a 
bare  grain,  it  may  chance  of  wheat,  or  of  some  other 
kind;  but  God  giveth  it  a  body  even  as  it  pleased  him, 
and  to  each  seed  a  body  of  its  own. 

All  flesh  is  not  the  same  flesh :  but  there  is  one  flesh 
of  men,  and  another  flesh  of  beasts,  and  another  flesh 
of  birds,  and  another  of  fishes.  There  are  also  celestial 
bodies,  and  bodies  terrestrial:  but  the  glory  of  the 
celestial  is  one,  and  the  glory  of  the  terrestrial  is  an- 
other. There  is  oneglory  of  the  sun,  and  another  glory 
of  the  moon,  and  another  glory  of  the  stars;  for  one 
star  differeth  from  another  star  in  glory. 


78»  THE   RESURRECTION  VICTORY 

So  also  is  the  resurrection  of  the  dead.  It  is  sown 
in  corruption;  it  is  raised  in  incorruption:  it  is  sown  in 
dishonor;  it  is  raised  in  glory:  it  is  sown  in  weakness; 
it  is  raised  in  power:  it  is  sown  a  natural  body;  it  is 
raised  a  spiritual  body.  If  there  is  a  natural  body, 
there  is  also  a  spiritual  body. 

So  also  it  is  written,  "The  first  man  Adam  became 
a  living  soul."  The  last  Adam  became  a  life-giving 
spirit.  Howbeit  that  is  not  first  which  is  spiritual, 
but  that  which  is  natural;  then  that  which  is  spiritual. 
The  first  man  is  of  the  earth,  earthy:  the  second  man 
is  of  heaven.  As  is  the  earthy,  such  are  they  also  that 
are  earthy :  and  as  is  the  heavenly,  such  are  they  also 
that  are  heavenly.  And  as  we  have  borne  the  image 
of  the  earthy,  we  shall  also  bear  the  image  of  the 
heavenly. 

The  Resurrection  Victory. 

Now  this  I  say,  brethren,  that  flesh  and  blood  cannot 
inherit  the  kingdom  of  God;  neither  doth  corruption 
inherit  incorruption.  Behold,  I  tell  you  a  mystery: 
We  all  shall  not  sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be  changed,  in 
a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump: 
for  the  trumpet  shall  sound,  and  the  dead  shall  be 
raised  incorruptible,  and  we  shall  be  changed. 

For  this  corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption,  and 
this  mortal  must  put  on  immortality.  But  when  this 
corruptible  shall  have  put  on  incorruption,  and  this 
mortal  shall  have  put  on  immortality,  then  shall  come 
to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written,  "Death  is  swallowed 
up  in  victory.''  O  death,  where  is  thy  victory?  O 
death,  where  is  thy  sting? 

The  sting  of  death  is  sin;  and  the  power  of  sin  is  the 
law:  but  thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 


DIRECTIONS  FOR  THE  COLLECTION  79 

Wherefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  stedfast, 
unraovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  forasniuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labor  is  not 
vain  in  the  Lord. 

Directions  for  the  Collection. 

Now  concerning  the  collection  for  the  saints,  as  I 
gave  order  to  the  churches  of  Galatia,  so  also  do  ye. 

Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week  let  each  one  of  you 
lay  by  him  in  store,  as  he  may  prosper,  that  no  col- 
lections be  made  when  I  come.  And  when  I  arrive, 
whomsoever  ye  shall  approve,  them  will  I  send  with 
letters  to  carry  your  bounty  unto  Jerusalem:  and  if 
it  be  meet  for  me  to  go  also,  they  shall  go  with  me. 

Personal  Plans. 

But  I  will  come  unto  you,  when  I  shall  have  passed 
through  Macedonia;  for  I  pass  through  Macedonia; 
but  with  you  it  may  be  that  I  shall  abide,  or  even 
winter,  that  ye  may  set  me  forward  on  my  journey 
whithersoever  I  go. 

For  I  do  not  wish  to  see  you  now  by  the  way;  for  I 
hope  to  tarry  a  while  with  you,  if  the  Lord  permit. 
But  I  will  tarry  at  Ephesus  until  Pentecost;  for  a  great 
door  and  effectual  is  opened  unto  me,  and  there  are 
many  adversaries. 

Timothy  and  Apollos. 

Now  if  Timothy  come,  see  that  he  be  with  you 
without  fear;  for  he  worketh  the  work  of  the  Lord,  as 
I  also  do:  let  no  man  therefore  despise  him.  But  set 
him  forward  on  his  journey  in  peace,  that  he  may  come 
unto  me:  for  I  expect  him  with  the  brethren. 

But  as  touching  Apollos  the  brother,  I  besought  him 
much  to  come  unto  you  with  the  bre^thren:  and  it  was 


80  A   LAST  ADMONITION 

not  at  all  his  will  to  come  now;  but  he  will  come  when 
he  shall  have  opportunity. 

A  Last  Admonition. 

Watch  ye,  stand  fast  in  the  faith,  quit  you  like  men, 
be  strong.     Let  all  that  ye  do  be  done  in  love. 

Leading  Corinthian  Christians. 

Now  I  beseech  you,  brethren  (ye  know  the  house  of 
Stephanas,  that  it  is  the  first-fruits  of  Achaia,  and  that 
they  have  set  themselves  to  minister  unto  the  saints), 
that  ye  also  be  in  subjection  unto  such,  and  to  every 
one  that  helpeth  in  the  work  and  laboreth. 

And  I  rejoice  at  the  coming  of  vStephanas  and  For- 
tunatus  and  Achaicus:  for  that  which  was  lacking  on 
your  part  they  supplied.  For  they  refreshed  my 
spirit  and  yours:  acknowledge  ye  therefore  them  that 
are  such. 

The  Salutations. 

The  churches  of  Asia  salute  you.  Aquila  and  Prisca 
salute  you  much  in  the  Lord,  with  the  church  that  is  in 
their  house.  All  the  brethren  salute  you.  Salute  one 
another   with   a   holy   kiss. 

The  Autograph  Conclusion. 

The  salutation  of  me  PAUL  with  mine  own  hand. 
If  any  man  loveth  not  the  Lord,  let  him  be  anathema. 
Marana  .tha. 

The  Grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you. 
My  Love  be  with  you  all  in  Jesus  Christ. 

Amen. 


tumultuous  end  of  labors  in  ephesus         81 
Tumultuous  End  of  Labors  in  Ephesus. 

And  about  that  time  there  arose  no  small  stir  con- 
cerning the  Way. 

For  a  certain  man  named  Demetrius,  a  silversmith, 
who  made  silver  shrines  of  Diana,  brought  no  little 
business  unto  the  craftsmen;  whom  he  gathered  to- 
gether, with  the  workmen  of  like  occupation,  and 
said,  "Sirs,  ye  know  that  by  this  business  we  have  our 
wealth.  And  ye  see  and  hear,  that  not  alone  at  Ephe- 
sus, but  almost  throughout  all  Asia,  this  Paul  hath 
persuaded  and  turned  away  much  people,  saying  that 
they  are  no  gods,  that  are  made  with  hands:  and  not 
only  is  there  danger  that  this  our  trade  come  into 
disrepute,  but  also  that  the  temple  of  the  great  god- 
dess Diana  be  made  of  no  account,  and  that  she 
should  even  be  deposed  from  her  magnificence  whom 
all  Asia  and  the  world  worshippeth." 

And  when  they  heard  this  they  were  filled  with 
wrath,  and  cried  out,  saying,  "Great  is  Diana  of  the 
Ephesians." 

And  the  city  was  filled  with  the  confusion :  and  they 
rushed  with  one  accord  into  the  theatre,  having  seized 
Gaius  and  Aristarchus,  men  of  Macedonia,  Paul's 
companions  in  travel. 

And  when  Paul  was  minded  to  enter  in  iinto  the 
people,  the  disciples  suffered  him  not.  And  certain 
also  of  the  Asiarchs,  being  his  riends,  sent"  unto  him 
and  besought  him  not  to  adventure  himself  into  the 
theatre. 

Some  therefore  cried  one  thing,  and  soine  another: 
for  the  assembly  was  in  confusion;  and  the  more  part 
knew  not  whererore  they  were  come  together. 

And  they  brought  Alexander  out  of  the  multitude, 
the  Jews  putting  him  forward.  And  Alexander 
beckoned  v/ith  the  hand,  and  would  have  made  a  de- 


K2  TUMULTUOUS   END  OF   LABORS  IN   EPHESUS  • 

fence  unto  the  people.  But  when  they  perceived  that 
he  was  a  Jew,  all  with  one  voice  about  the  space  of 
two  hours  cried  out,  "Great  is  Diana  of  the  Ephesians." 

And  when  the  townclerk  had  quieted  the  multitude, 
he  saith,  "Ye  men  of  Ephesus,  what  man  is  there  who 
knoweth  not  that  the  city  of  the  Ephesians  is  temple- 
keeper  of  the  great  Diana,  and  of  the  image  which  fell 
down  from  Jupiter?  Seeing  then  that  these  things 
cannot  be  gainsaid,  ye  ought  to  be  quiet,  and  to  do 
nothing  rash.  For  ye  have  brought  hither  these  men, 
who  are  neither  robbers  of  temples  nor  blasphemers  of 
our  goddess.  If  therefore  Demetrius,  and  .  he  crafts- 
men that  are  with  him,  have  a  matter  against  any 
man,  the  courts  are  open,  and  there  are  pro-consuls: 
let  them  accuse  one  another.  But  if  ye  seek  anything 
about  other  matters,  it  shall  be  settled  in  the  regular 
assembly.  For  indeed  we  are  in  danger  to  be  accused 
concerning  this  day's  riot,  there  being  no  cause  for  it: 
and  as  touching  it  we  shall  not  be  able  to  give  account 
of  this  concourse." 

And  when  he  had  thus  spoken,  he  dismissed  the  as- 
sembly. 

And  after  the  uproar  ceased,  Paul  having  sent  for 
the  disciples  and  exhorted  them,  took  leave  of  them, 
and  departed  to  go  into  Macedonia. 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  THE  CORINTHIANS.^ 

paul,  an  apostle  of  christ  jesus  through  the  will 
of  god,  and  timothy  our  brother,  unto  the 
church  of  god  which  is  at  corinth,  with  all  the 
saints  that  are  in  the  whole  of  achaiai  grace 
to  you  and  peace  from  god  our  father  and  the 
lord  jesus  christ. 

Praise  for  God's  Comfort. 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Father  of  mercies  and  God  of  all  comfort; 
who  comforteth  us  in  all  our  affliction,  that  we  may 
be  able  to  comfort  them  that  are  in  any  affliction, 
through  the  comfort  wherewith  we  ourselves  are  com- 
forted of  God. 

For  as  the  sufferings  of  Christ  abound  unto  us,  even 
so  our  comfort  also  aboundeth  through  Christ.  But 
whether  we  are  afflicted,  it  is  for  your  comfort  and 
salvation;  or  whether  we  are  comforted,  it  is  for  your 
comfort,  which  worketh  in  the  patient  enduring  of 
the  same  sufferings  which  we  also  suffer:  and  our  hope 
for  you  is  stedfast;' knowing  that,  as  ye  are  partakers  of 
the  sufferings,  so  also  are  ye  of  the  comfort. 

The  Afflictions  in  Ephesus. 

For  we  would  not  have  you  ignorant,  brethren,  con- 
cerning our  affliction  which  befell  us  in  Asia,  that  we 
were  weighed  down  exceedingly,  beyond  our  power, 
insomuch  that  we  despaired  even  of  life:  yea,  we  our- 
selves have  had  the  sentence  of  death  within  our- 
selves, that  we  should  not  trust  in  ourselves,  but  in 

(OThis  letter  was  probably  written  from  Macedonia  after  Titus 
had  joined  Paul  there  with  the  iaformation  that  the  majority  of 
the  Corinthian  Church  had  returned  to  their  allegiance. 

83 


84  SELF-VINDICATION 

God  who  raiseth  the  dead:  who  delivered  us  out  of  so 
great  a  death,  and  will  deliver:  on  whom  we  have  set 
our  hope  that  he  will  also  still  deliver  us;  ye  also  help- 
ing together  on  our  behalf  by  your  supplication;  that, 
for  the  gift  bestowed  upon  us  by  means  of  many, 
thanks  may  be  given  by  many  persons  on  our  behalf. 

Self-Vindication. 

For  our  glorying  is  this,  the  testimony  of  our  con- 
science, that  in  holiness  and  sincerity  of  God,  not  in 
fleshly  wisdom  but  in  the  grace  of  God,  we  behaved 
ourselves  in  the  world,  and  more  abundantly  to  you- 
ward. 

For  we  write  no  other  things  unto  you,  than  what  ye 
read  or  even  acknowledge,  and  I  hope  ye  will  acknowl- 
edge unto  the  end:  as  also  ye  did  acknowledge  us  in 
part,  that  vv^e  are  your  glorying,  even  as  ye  also  are 
ours,  in 'the  day  of  our  Lord  Jesus. 

The  Change  of  Plans. 

And  in  this  confidence  I  was  m'nded  to  come  first 
unto  you,  that  ye  might  have  a  second  benefit;  and  by 
you  to  pass  into  Macedonia,  and  again  from  Macedonia 
to  come  unto  you,  and  of  you  to  be  set  forward  on  my 
journey  unto  Judaea. 

When  I  therefore  was  thus  niinded,  did  I  show 
fickleness?  or  the  things  that  I  purpose,  do  I  purpose 
according  to  the  fiesh,  that  with  me  there  should  be 
the  yea  yea  and  the  nay  nay?  But  as  God  is  faithful, 
our  word  toward  you  is  not  yea  and  nay. 

For  the  Son  of  God,  Jesus  Christ,  who  was  preached 
among  you  by  us,  even  by  me  and  Silvanus  and 
Timothy,  was  not  yea  and  nay,  but  in  him  is  yea. 
For  how  many  soever  be  ihe  promises  of  God,  in  him 
is  the  yea:  wherefore  also  through  him  is  the  Amen, 


DELAY  THROUGH  KINDNESS  •  85 

unto  the  glory  of  God  through  us.  Now  he  that  es- 
tabhsheth  us  with  you  in  Christ,  and  anointed  us,  is 
God;  who  also  sealed  us,  and  gave  us  the  earnest  of 
the  Spirit  in  our  hearts.  ' 

Delay  through  Kindness. 

But  I  call  God  for  a.  witness  upon  my  soul,  that  to 
spare  you  I  forbare  to  come  unto  Corinth.  Not  that 
we  have  lordship  over  your  faith,  but  are  helpers  of 
your  joy:  for  in  faith  ye  stand  fast. 

But  I  determined  this  for  myself,  that  I  would  not 
come  again  to  you  with  sorrow.  For  if  I  make  you 
sorry,  who  then  is  he  that  maketh  me  glad  but  he  that 
is  made  sorry  by  me?  And  I  wrote  this  very  thing, 
lest,  when  I  came,  I  should  have  sorrow  from  them  of 
whom  I  ought  to  rejoice;  having  confidence  in  you  all, 
that  my  joy  is  the  joy  of  you  all.  For  out  of  much 
affliction  and  anguish  of  heart  I  Vv^rote  unto  you  with 
many  tears;  not  that  ye  should  be  made  sorry,  but 
that  ye  might  know  the  love  which  I  have  more  abund- 
antly unto  you. 

The  Offender  Disciplined. 

But  if  any  hath  caused  sorrow,  he  hath  caused  sor- 
row, not  to  me,  but  in  part  (that  I  press  not  too  heavily) 
to  you  all.  Sufficient  to  such  a  one  is  this  punishment 
which  was  inflicted  by  the  many;  so  that  contrariwise 
ye  should  rather  forgive  him  and  comfort  him,  lest  bv 
any  means  such  a  one  should  be  swallowed  up  with  his 
overmuch  sorrow 

Wherefore  I  beseech  you  to  confirm  your  love  toward 
him.  For  to  this  end  also  did  1  write,  that  I  might 
know  the  proof  of  you,  whether  ye  are  obedient  in  all 
things.  But  to  whom  ye  forgive  anything,  I  forgive 
also:  for  what  I  also  have  forgiven,  if  I  have  forgiven 


86         •  ANXIETY  FOR  TITUS'  REPORT 

anything,  for  your  sakes  have  I  forgiven  it  in  the  pres- 
ence of  Christ;  that  no  advantage  may  be  gained  over 
us  by  Satan:  for  we  are  not  ignorant  of  his  devices 

Anxiety  for  Titus'  Report. 

Now  when  I  came  to  Troas  for  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
and  when  a  door  was  opened  unto  me  in  the  Lord,  I 
had  no  rehef  for  my  spirit,  because  I  found  not  Titus 
my  brother :  but  taking  my  leave  of  them,  I  went  forth 
into  Macedonia. 

Joy  in  the  Victory. 

But  thanks  be  unto  God,  who  always  leadeth  us  in 
triumph  in  Christ,  and  maketh  manifest  through  us 
the  savor  of  his  knowledge  in  every  place.  For  we 
are  a  sweet  savor  of  Christ  unto  God,  in  them  that  are 
saved,  and  in  them  that  perish;  to  the  one  a  savor  from 
death  unto  death;  to  the  other  a  savor  from  life  unto 
life.  And  who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?  P'or  we 
are  not  as  the  many,  corrupting  the  word  of  God: 
but  as  of  sincerity,,  but  as  of  God,  in  the  sight  of  God, 
speak  we  in  Christ. 

An  Approved  Ministry. 

Are  we  beginning  again  to  commend  ourselves?  or 
need  we,  as  do  some,  epistles  of  commendation  to  you 
or  from  you?  Ye  are  our  epistle,  written  in  our  hearts, 
known  and  read  of  all  men;  being  made  manifest  that 
ye  are  an  epistle  of  Christ,  ministered  by  us,  written 
not  with  ink,  but  with  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God; 
not  in  tables  of  stone,  but  in  tables  that  are  hearts  of 
flesh. 

A  Confident  Ministry. 

And  such  confidence  have  we  through  Christ  to  God- 
ward:  not  that  we  are  sufficient  of  ourselves,  to  account 


A  MINISTRY  OF  TRUTH  87 

anything  as  from  ourselves;  but  our  sufficiency  is  from 
God;  who  also  made  us  sufficient  as  ministers  of  a  new 
covenant;  not  of  the  letter,  but  of  the  spirit:  for  the 
letter  killeth,  but  the  spirit  giveth  life. 

But  if  the  ministration  of  death,  written,  and  en- 
graven on  stones,  came  with  glory,  so  that  the  children 
of  Israel  could  not  look  stedfastly  upon  the  face  of 
Moses  for  the  glory  of  his  face ;  which  glory  was  passing 
away :  how  shall  not  rather  the  ministration  of  the  spirit 
be  with  glory?  For  if  the  ministration  of  condemna- 
tion hath  glory,  much  rather  doth  the  ministration  of 
righteousness  exceed  in  glory. 

For  verily  that  which  hath  been  made  glorious  hath 
not  been  made  glorious  in  this  respect,  by  reason  of 
the  glory  that  surpasseth.  For  if  that  which  passetb 
away  was  with  glory,  much  more  that  which  remaineth 
is  in  glory. 

Having  therefore  such  a  hope,  we  use  great  boldness 
of  speech,  and  are  not  as  Moses,  who  put  a  veil  upon  his 
face,  that  the  children  of  Israel  should  not  look  sted- 
fastly on  the  end  of  that  which  was  passing  away: 
but  their  minds  were  hardened :  for  until  this  very  day 
at  the  reading  of  the  old  covenant  the  same  veil  re- 
maineth, it  not  being  revealed  to  them  that  it  is  done 
away  in  Christ.  But  unto  this  day,  whensoever  Moses 
is  read,  a  veil  lieth  upon  their  heart.  But  whensoever 
it  shall  turn  to  the  Lord,  the  veil  is  taken  away. 

Now  the  Lord  is  the  Spirit:  and  where  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty.  But  we  all,  with  un- 
veiled face  beholding  as  in  a  mirror  the  glory  of  the 
Lord,  are  transformed  into  the  same  image  from  glory 
to  glory,  even  as  from  the  Lord  the  Spirit 

A  Ministry  of  Truth 

Therefore  seeing  we  have  this  ministry,  even  as  we 
obtained  mercy,  we  faint  not:  but  we  have  renounced 


88  WEAKNESS  AND  STRENGTH 

the  h'dden  things  of  shame,  not  walking  in  craftiness, 
nor  handhng  the  word  of  God  deceitfully;  but  by  the 
manifestation  of  the  truth  commending  ourselves  to 
every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God. 

And  even  if  our  gospel  is  veiled,  it  is  veiled  in  them 
that  perish :  in  whom  the  god  of  this  world  hath  blinded 
the  minds  of  the  unbelieving,  that  the  light  of  the 
gospel  of  the  glory  of  Christ,  who  is  the  image  of  God, 
should  not  dawn  upon  them.  For  we  preach  not  our- 
selves, but  Christ  Jesus  as  Lord,  and  ourselves  as  your 
servants  for  Jesus'  sake.  Seeing  it  is  God,  that  said, 
"Light  shall  shine  out  of  darkness,"  who  shined  in  our 
hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory 
of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Weakness  and  Strength. 

But  we  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels,  that 
the  exceeding  greatness  of  the  power  may  be  of  God, 
and  not  from  ourselves;  we  are  pressed  on  every  side, 
yet  not  straitened;  perplexed,  yet  not  tmto  despair; 
pursued,  yet  not  forsaken;  smitten  down,  yet  not  de- 
stroyed; always  bearing  about  in  the  body  the  dying 
of  Jesus,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  may  be  manifested 
in  our  body.  For  we  who  live  are  always  delivered 
unto  death  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus 
maybe  manifested  in  our  mortal  flesh.  So  then  death 
worketh  in  us,  but  life  in  you. 

But  having  the  same  spirit  of  faith,  according  to 
that  which  is  written,  "I  believed,  and  therefore  did  I 
speak;"  we  also  believe,  and  therefore  also  we  speak; 
knowing  that  he  that  raised  up  the  Lord  Jesus  shall 
raise  up  us  also  with  Jesus,  and  shall  present  us  with 
you. 

For  all  things  are  for  your  sakcs,  that  the  grace,  being 
multiplied  through  the  many,  may  cause  the  thanks- 
giving to  abound  unto  the  glory  of  God. 


THE   SEEN   AND  THE   UNSEEN  8y 

The  Seen  and  the  Unseen. 

Wherefore  we  faint  not;  but  though  our  outward 
man  is  decaying,  yet  our  inward  man  is  renewed  day 
l3y  day.  For  our  light  affliction,  which  is  for  the 
moment,  worketh  for  us  more  and  more  exceedingly 
an  eternal  weight  of  glory;  while  we  look*  not  at  the 
things  which  are  seen,  but  at  the  things  which  are  not 
seen:  for  the  things  which  are  seen  are  temporal;  but 
the  things  which  are  not  seen  are  eternal. 

For  we  know  that  if  the  earthly  house  of  our  taber- 
nacle be  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  from  God,  a 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 

For  verily  in  this  we  groan,  longing  to  be  clothed 
upon  with  our  habitation  which  is  from  heaven:  if 
so  be  that  being  clothed  we  shall  not  be  found  naked. 
For  indeed  we  that  are  in  this  tabernacle  do  groan, 
being  burdened;  not  for  that  we  would  be  unclothed, 
but  that  we  would  be  clothed  upon,  that  what  is  mortal 
may  be  swallowed  up  of  life.  Now  he  that  wrought 
us  for  this  very  thing  is  God,  who  gave  unto  us  the 
earnest  of  the  Spirit. 

Life,  Death,  Judgment. 

Being  therefore  always  of  good  courage,  and  knowing 
that,  whilst  we  are  at  home  in  the  body,  we  are  absent 
from  the  Lord  (for  we  walk  by  faith,  not  by  sight); 
we  are  of  good  courage,  I  say,  and  art  willing  rather  to 
be  absent  from  the  body,  and  to  be  at  home  with  the 
Lord. 

Wherefore  also  we  make  it  our  aim,  whether  at 
home  or  absent,  to  be  well-pleasing  unto  him.  For  we 
must  all  be  made  manifest  before  the  judgment-seat 
of  Christ;  that  each  one  may  receive  the  things  done 
in  the  body,  according  to  what  he  hath  done,  whether 
it  be  good  or  bad. 


90  THE   minister's  MOTIVE 

The  Minister's  Motive. 

Knowing  therefore  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  we  persuade 
men,  but  we  are  made  manifest  unto  God;  and  I  hope 
that  we  are  made  manifest  also  in  your  consciences. 

We  are  not  again  commending  ourselves  unto  you, 
but  speak  as  giving  you  occasion  of  glorying  on  our 
behalf,  that  ye  may  have  wherewith  to  answer  them 
that  glory  in  appearance,  and  not  in  the  heart.  For 
whether  we  are  beside  ourselves,  it  is  unto  God;  or 
whether  we  are  of  sober  mind,  it  is  unto  you. 

For  the  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us;  because  we 
thus  judge,  that  one  died  for  all,  therefore  all  died;  and 
he  died  for  all,  that  they  that  live  should  no  longer 
live  unto  themselves,  but  unto  him  who  for  their 
sakes  died  and  rose  again. 

The  Ministry  of  Reconciliation. 

Wherefore  we  henceforth  know  no  man  after  the 
flesh ;  even  though  we  have  known  Christ  after  the 
flesh,  yet  now  we  know  him  so  no  more.  Wherefore  if 
any  man  is  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature:  the  old  things 
are  passed  away;  behold,  they  are  become  new.  But 
all  things  are  of  God,  who  reconciled  us  to  himself 
through  Christ,  and  gave  unto  us  the  ministry  of 
reconciliation;  to  wit,  that  God  was  in  Christ  recon- 
ciling the  world  unto  himself,  not  reckoning  unto 
them  their  trespasses,  and  having  committed  unto  us 
the  word  of  reconciliation. 

We  are  ambassadors  therefore  on  behalf  of  Christ, 
as  though  God  were  entreating  by  us:  we  beseech  you 
on  behalf  of  Christ,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God.  Him 
who  knew  no  sin  he  made  to  be  sin  on  our  behalf;  that 
we  might  become  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him. 


THE  minister's   CREDENTIALS  91 

The  Minister's  Credentials. 

And  working  together  with  him  we  entreat  also  that 
ye  receive  not  the  grace  of  God  in  vain  (for  he  saith, 
"At  an  acceptable  time  I  hearkened  unto  thee, 
And  in  a  day  of  salvation  did  I  succor  thee:" 
behold,  now  is  the  acceptable  time  behold,  now  is 
the  day  of  salvation):  giving  no  occasion  of  stumbling 
in  anything,  that  our  ministration  be  not  blamed; 
but  in  everything  commending  ourselves,  as  ministers 
of  God,  in  much  patience,  in  afflictions,  in  necessities, 
in  distresses,  in  stripes,  in  imprisonments,  in  tumults, 
in  labors,  in  watchings,  in  fastings;  in  pureness,  in 
knowledge,  in  longsuffering,  in  kindness,  in  the  Holy 
Spirit,  in  love  unfeigned,  in  the  word  of  truth,  in  the 
power  of  God;  by  the  armor  of  righteousness  on  the 
right  hand  and  on  the  left,  by  glory  and  dishonor, 
by  evil  report  and  good  report;  as  deceivers,  and  yet 
true;  as  unknown,  and  yet  well  known;  as  dying, 
and  behold,  we  live;  as  chastened,  and  not  killed; 
as  sorrowful,  yet  always  rejoicing;  as  poor,  yet  making 
many  rich;  as  having  nothing,  and  yet  possessing  all 
things. 

An  Appeal  of  Love. 

Our  mouth  is  open  unto  you,  O  Corinthians,  our 
heart  is  enlarged.  Ye  are  not  straitened  in  us,  but 
ye  are  straitened  in  your  own  affections.  Now  for  a 
recompense  in  like  kind  (I  speak  as  unto  my  children), 
be  ye  also  enlarged. 

Danger  of  Heathen  Defilements. 

Be  not  unequally  yoked  with  unbelievers:  for  what 
ellowship  have  righteousness  and  iniquity?  or  what 
communion  hath  light  with  darkness?     And  what  con- 
cord hath  Christ  with  Belial?  or  what  portion  hath  a 


92  THE  JOY  OF  RECONCILIATION 

believer  with  an  unbeliever?  And  what  agreement 
hath  a  temple  of  God  with  idols?  for  we  are  a  temple  of 
the  living  God;  even  as  God  said,  "I  will  dwell  in  them, 
and  walk  in  them;  and  I  will  be  their  God,  and  they 
shall  be  my  people."     Wherefore 

"Come  ye  out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye  sepa- 
rate," 
saith  the  Lord 

"And  touch  no  unclean  thing; 
And  I  will  receive  you, 
And  will  be  to  you  a  Father, 
And  ye  shall  be  to  me  sons  and  daughters," 
saith    the    Lord    Almighty. 

Having  therefore  these  promises,  beloved,  let  us 
cleanse  ourselves  from  all  defilement  of  flesh  and 
spirit,    perfecting  holiness  in  th    fear  of  God. 

The  Joy  of  Reconciliation. 

Open  your  hearts  to  us:  we  wronged  no  man,  we 
corrupted  no  man,  we  took  advantage  of  no  man.  I 
say  it  not  to  condemn  you:  for  I  have  said  before,  that 
ye  are  in  our  hearts  to  die  together  and  live  together. 

Great  is  my  boldness  of  speech  toward  you,  great  is 
my  glorying  on  3^our  behalf:  I  am  filled  with  comfort, 
I  overflow  with  joy  in  all  our  affliction. 

Anxiety  till  Titus  Came. 

For  even  when  we  were  come  into  Macedonia  our 
flesh  had  no  relief,  but  we  were  afflicted  on  everyside; 
without  were  fightings,  within  were  fears.  Neverthe- 
less he  that  comforteth  the  lowly,  even  God,  comforted 
us  by  the  coming  of  Titus;  and  not  by  his  coming  only, 
but  also  by  the  comfort  wherewith  he  was  comforted 
in  you,  while  he  told  us  your  longing,  your  mourning, 
your  zeal  for  me;  so  that  I  rejoiced  yet  more 


the  previous  painful  letter  93 

The  Previous  Painful  Letter. 

For  though  I  made  you  sorry  with  my  epistle,  I  do 
not  regret  it :  though  I  did  regret  it  (for  I  see  that  that 
epistle  made  you  sorr}',  though  but  for  a  season), 
I  now  rejoice,  not  that  ye  were  made  sorry,  but  that  ye 
were  made  sorry  unto  repentance;  for  ye  were  made 
sorry  after  a  godly  sort,  that  ye  might  suffer  loss  by  us 
in  nothing. 

For  godly  sorrow  worketh  repentance  unto  salvation, 
a  repentance  which  bringeth  no  regret:  but  the  sorrow 
of  the  world  worketh  death.  For  behold,  this  self- 
same thing,  that  ye  were  made  sorry  after  a  godly  sort, 
what  earnest  care  it  wrought  in  you,  yea  what  clearing 
of  yourselves,  yea  what  indignation,  yea  what  fear, 
yea  what  longing,  yea  what  zeal,  yea  what  avenging! 
In  everything  ye  approved  yourselves  to  be  pure  in 
the  matter. 

The  Offender. 

So  although  I  wrote  unto  you,  I  wrote  not  for  his 
cause  that  did  the  wrong,  nor  for  his  cause  that  suffered 
the  wrong,  but  that  your  earnest  care  for  us  might  be 
made  manifest  unto  you  in  the  sight  of  God. 

The  Happy  Issue. 

Therefore  we  have  been  comforted:  and  in  our  com- 
fort we  joyed  the  more  exceedingly  for  the  joy  of  Titus, 
because  his  spirit  hath  been  refreshed  by  you  all.  For 
if  in  anything  I  have  gloried  to  him  on  your  behalf, 
I  was  not  put  to  shame;  but  as  we  spake  all  things  to 
you  in  truth,  so  our  glorying  also  which  I  made  before 
Titus  was  found  to  be  truth.  And  his  affection  is  more 
abundantly  toward  you,  while  he  remembereth  the 
obedience   of  you   all,    how  with  fear  and  trembling 


94  A  GOOD  EXAMPLE   IN  GIVING 

ye  received  him.     I  rejoice  that  in  everything  I  am  of 
good  courage  concerning  you 

A  Good  Example  in  Giving. 

Moreover,  brethren,  we  make  known  to  you  the  grace 
of  God  which  hath  been  given  in  the  churches  of  Mace- 
donia; how  that  in  much  proof  of  affliction  the  abun- 
dance of  their  joy  and  their  deep  poverty  abounded 
unto  the  riches  of  their  Hberahty. 

For  according  to  their  power,  I  bear  witness,  yea  and 
beyond  their  power,  they  gave  of  their  own  accord, 
beseeching  us  with  ^nuch  entreaty  in  regard  of  this 
grace  and  the  fellowship  in  the  ministering  to  the  saints: 
and  this,  not  as  we  had  hoped,  but  first  they  gave  their 
own  selves  to  the  Lord,  and  to  us  through  the  will  of 
God.  Insomuch  that  we  exhorted  Titus,  that  as  he  had 
made  a  beginning  before,  so  he  would  also  complete  in 
you  this  grace  also. 

But  as  ye  abound  in  everything,  in  faith,  and  utter- 
ance, and  knowledge,  and  in  all  earnestness,  and  in 
your  love  to  us,  see  that  ye  abound  in  this  grace  also. 

Christ's  Example. 

I  speak  not  by  way  of  commandment,  but  as  prov- 
ing through  the  earnestness  of  others  the  sincerity  also 
of  your  love.  For  ye  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that,  though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes 
he  became  poor,  that  ye  through  his  poverty  might 
become  rich. 

Willing  and  Doing. 

And  herein  I  give  my  judgment:  for  this  is  exped'ent 
for  you,  who  were  the  first  to  make  a  beginning  a  year 
ago,  not  only  to  do,  but  also  to  will.  But  now  com- 
plete the  doing  also;  that  as  there  was  the  readiness  to 


TRUSTEES  OF  BENEFICENCE  95 

will,  SO  there  may  be  the  completion  also  out  of  your 
ability.  For  if  the  readiness  is  there,  it  is  acceptable 
according  as  a  man  hath,  not  according  as  he  hath  not. 
For  I  say  not  this  that  others  may  be  eased  and  ye 
distressed;  but  by  equality:  your  abundance  being  a 
stipply  at  this  present  time  for  their  want,  that  their 
abundance  also  may  become  a  supply  for  your  want ; 
that  there  may  be  equality:  as  it  is  written,  "He  that 
ga  hered  much  had  nothing  over;  and  he  that  gathered 
little  had  no  lack." 

Trustees  of  Beneficence. 

But  thanks  be  to  God,  who  putteth  the  same  earnest 
care  for  you  into  the  heart  of  Titus.  For  he  accepted 
indeed  our  exhortation;  but  being  himself  very  earnest, 
he  went  forth  unto  you  of  his  own  accord. 

And  we  have  sent  together  with  him  the  brother 
whose  praise  in  the  gospel  is  spread  through  all  the 
churches;  and  not  only  so,  but  who  was  also  appointed 
by  the  churches  to  travel  with  us  in  the  matter  of  this 
grace,  which  is  ministered  by  us  to  the  glory  of  the 
Lord,  and  to  show  our  readiness:  avoid  ng  this,  that 
any  man  should  blame  us  in  the  matter  of  this  bounty 
which  is  ministered  by  us :  for  we  take  thought  for  things 
honorable,  not  only  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  but  also 
in  the  s  ght  of  men.  And  we  have  sent  with  them  our 
brother,  whom  we  have  many  times  proved  earnest  in 
many  things,  but  now  much  more  earnest,  by  reason  of 
the  great  confidence  which  he  hath  in  you. 

Whether  any  inquire  about  Titus,  he  is  my  partner 
and  my  fellow-worker  to  you-ward;  or  our  brethren, 
they  are  the  messengers  of  the  churches,  they  are  the 
glory  of  Christ.  Show  ye  therefore  unto  them  in  the 
face  of  the  churches  the  proof  of  your  love,  and  of  our 
glorying  on  your  behalf. 


96  goodly  rivalry  in  giving 

Goodly  Rivalry  in  Giving. 

For  as  touching  the  ministering  to  the  saints,  it  is 
superfluous  for  hie  to  write  to  you:  for  I  know  your 
readiness,  of  which  I  glory  on  your  behalf  to  them  of 
Macedonia,  that  Achaia  hath  been  prepared  for  a  year 
past;  and  your  zeal  hath  stirred  up  very  many  of  them. 

But  I  have  sent  the  brethren,  that  our  glorying  on 
your  behalf  may  not  be  made  void  in  this  respect; 
that,  even  as  I  said,  ye  may  be  prepared:  lest  by  any 
means,  if  there  come  with  me  any  of  Macedonia  and 
find  you  unprepared,  we  (that  we  say  not,  ye)  should 
be  put  to  shame  in  this  confidence. 

I  thought  it  necessary  therefore  to  entreat  the 
brethren,  that  they  would  go  before  unto  you,  and 
make  up  beforehand  your  afore-promised  bounty,  that 
the  same  might  be  ready  as  a  matter  of  bounty,  and 
not  o    extortion. 

The  Grace  of  Liberality. 

But  this  I  say.  He  that  soweth  sparingly  shall  reap 
also  sparingly;  and  he  that  soweth  bountifully  shall 
reap  also  bountifully.  Let  each  man  do  according  as 
he  hath  purposed  in  his  heart:  not  grudgingly,  or  of 
necessity:  for  God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver. 

And  God  is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound  unto  you ; 
that  ye,  having  always  all  sufficiency  in  everything, 
may  abound  unto  every  good  work:  as  it  is  written, 
"He  hath  scattered  abroad,  he  hath  given  to  the 
lX)or; 
His  righteousness  abideth  for  ever." 
And   he   that   supplieth    seed  to  the  sower  and  bread 
for  food,  shall  supply  and  multiply  your  seed  for  sow- 
ing, and  increase  the  fruits  of  your  righteousness:  ye 
being  enriched  in  everything  unto  all  liberality,  which 
worketh  through  us  thanksgiving  to  God. 


REPLY  TO  THE   OPPONENTS  97 

For  the  ministration  of  this  service  not  on  y  filleth 
up  the  measure  of  the  wants  of  the  saints,  but  abound- 
eth  also  through  many  thanksgivings  unto  God;  see- 
ing that  through  the  proving  of  you  by  this  ministra- 
tion they  glorify  God  for  the  obedience  of  your  con- 
fession unto  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  for  the  liberal it}^ 
of  your  contribution  unto  them  and  unto  all;  while 
they  themselves  also,  with  supplication  on  your  behalf, 
long  after  you  by  reason  of  the  exceeding  grace  of  God 
in  you. 

Thanks  be  to  God  for  his  unspeakable  gift. 

Reply  to  the  Opponents. 

Now  I  Paul  myself  entreat  you  by  the  meekness  and 
gentleness  of  Christ,  I  who  in  your  presence  am  lowly 
among  you,  but  being  absent  am  of  good  courage 
toward  you:  yea,  I  beseech  you,  that  I  may  not  when 
present  show  courage  with  the  confidence  wherewith 
I  count  to  be  bold  against  some,  who  count  of  us  as 
if  we  walked  according  to  the  flesh. 

For  though  we  walk  in  the  flesh,  we  do  not  war  ac- 
cording to  the  flesh  (for  the  weapons  of  our  warfare 
are  not  of  the  flesh,  but  mighty  before  God  to  the  cast- 
ing down  of  strongholds) ;  casting  down  imaginations, 
and  every  high  thipg  that  is  exalted  against  the  knowl- 
edge of  God,  and  bringing  every  thought  into  captivity 
to  the  obedience  of  Christ;  and  being  in  readiness  to 
avenge  all  disobedience,  when  your  obedience  shall  be 
made  full. 

Vindication  of  Apostleship. 

Ye  look  at  the  things  that  are  before  your  face.  If 
any  man  trusteth  in  himself  that  he  is  Christ's,  let  him 
consider  this  again  with  himself,  that,  even  as  he  is 
Christ's,  so  also  are  we.  For  though  I  should  glory 
somewhat  abundantly  concerning  our  authority  i^which 


98  -  LIMITS   OF  TERRITORY 

the  Lord  gave  for  building  you  up,  and  not  lor  casting 
you  down),  I  shall  not  be  put  to  shame:  that  I  may  not 
seem  as  if  I  would  terrify  3^ou  by  my  letters. 

For,  "His  letters,"  they  say,  "are  weighty  and 
strong;  but  his  bodily  presence  is  weak,  and  his  speech 
of  no  account."  Let  such  a  one  reckon  this,  that, 
what  we  are  in  word  by  letters  when  we  are  absent, 
such  are  we  also  in  deed  when  we  are  present. 

For  we  are  not  bold  to  number  or  compare  ourselves 
with  certain  of  them  that  commend  themselves:  but 
they  themselves,  measuring  themselves  by  themselves, 
and  comparing  themselves  with  themselves,  are  with- 
out understanding. 

Limits  of  Territory. 

But  we  will  not  glory  beyond  our  measure,  but  ac- 
cording to  the  measure  of  the  province  which  God 
apportioned  to  us  as  a  measure,  to  reach  even  unto  you. 
For  we  stretch  not  ourselves  overmuch,  as  though  we 
reached  not  unto  you :  for  we  came  even  as  far  as  unto 
you  in  the  gospel  of  Christ:  not  glorying  beyond  our 
measure,  that  is,  in  other  men's  labors;  but  having 
hope  that, -as  your  faith  groweth,  we  shall  be  magnified 
in  you  according  to  our  province  unto  further  abun- 
dance, so  as  to  preach  the  gospel  eyen  unto  the  parts 
beyond  you,  and  not  to  glory  in  another's  province  in 
regard  of  things  ready  to  our  hand. 

But  he  that  glorieth,  let  him  glory  in  the  Lord.  For 
not  he  that  commendeth  him.self  is  approved,  but 
whom  the  Lord  commendeth. 

The  Apostle  and  His  Converts. 

Would  that  ye  could  bear  with  me  in  a  little  foolish- 
ness: but  indeed  ye  do  bear  with  me. 

For  I  am  jealous  over  you  with  a  godly  jealousy: 


THE   GRATUITOUS  MINISTRY  99 

for  I  espoused  you  to  one  husband,  that  I  might  pres- 
ent you  as  a  pure  virgin  to  Christ.  But  I  fear,  lest  by 
any  means,  as  the  serpent  beguiled  Eve  in  his  crafti- 
ness, your  minds  should  be  corrupted  from  the  sim- 
plicity and  the  purity  that  is  toward  Christ.  For  if 
he  that  cometh  preacheth  another  Jesus,  whom  we 
did  not  preach,  or  if  ye  receive  a  different  spirit,  which 
ye  did  not  receive,  or  a  different  gospel,  which  ye  did 
not  accept,  ye  do  well  to  bear  with  him. 

For  I  reckon  that  I  am  not  a  whit  behind  the  very 
chiefest  apostles.  But  though  I  be  rude  in  speech,  yet 
am  I  not  in  knowledge;  nay,  in  every  way  have  we  made 
this  manifest  unto  ^'ou  in  all  things. 

The  Gratuitous  Ministry. 

Or  did  I  commit  a  sin  in  abasing  myself  that  ye  inight 
be  exalted,  because  I  preached  to  you  the  gospel  of 
God  for  nought?  I  robbed  other  churches,  taking 
wages  of  them  that  I  might  minister  unto  you;  and 
when  I  was  present  with  you  and  was  in  want,  I  was 
not  a  burden  on  any  man;  for  the  brethren,  when  they 
came  from  Macedonia,  supplied  the  measure  of  my 
want ;  and  in  everything  I  kept  myself  from  being  bur- 
densome unto  you,  and  so  will  I  keep  myself. 

As  the  truth  of  Christ  is  in  me,  no  man  shall  stop  me 
of  this  glorying  in  the  regions  of  Achaia.  Wherefore? 
because  I  love  you  not?     God  knoweth. 

But  what  I  do,  that  I  will  do,  that  I  may  cut  off 
occasion  from  them  that  desire  an  occasion ;  that  where- 
in they  glory,  they  may  be  found  even  as  we.  For 
such  men  are  false  apostles,  deceitful  workers,  fashion- 
ing themselves  into  apostles  of  Christ.  And  no  marvel ; 
for  even  Satan  fashioneth  himself  into  an  angel  of 
light.  It  is  no  great  thing  therefore  if  his  ministers 
also  fashion  themselves  as  ministers  of  righteousness; 
whose  end  shall  be  according  to  their  works. 


100  if  it  come  to  boasting 

If  It  Come  to  Boasting. 

I  say  again,  Let  no  man  think  me  foolish;  but  if  ye 
do,  yet  as  foolish  rcce've  me,  that  I  also  may  glory 
a  little.  That  which  I  speak,  I  speak  not  after  the 
Lord,  but  as  in  foolishness,  in  this  confidence  of  glory- 
ing. Seeing  that  many  glory  after  the  flesh,  I  will 
glory  also. 

For  ye  bear  with  the  foolish  gladly,  being  wise  your- 
selves. For  ye  bear  with  a  man,  if  he  bringeth  you 
into  bondage,  if  he  devoureth  you,  if  he  taketh  you 
captive,  if  he  exalteth  himself,  if  he  smiteth  you  on 
the    ace. 

The  Boast  of  the  Jew. 

I  speak  by  way  of  disparagement,  as  though  we  had 
been  weak.  Yet  whereinsoever  any  is  bold  (I  speak 
in  foolishness),  I  am  bold  also.  Are  they  Hebrews? 
so  am  I.  Are  they  Israelites?  so  am  I.  Are  they  the 
seed  of  Abraham?  so  am  I. 

The  Boast  of  the  Missionary. 

Are  they  ministers  of  Christ?  (I  speak  as  one  beside 
himself)  I  more;  in  labors  more  abundantly,  in  prisons 
more  abundantly,  in  stripes  above  measure,  in  deaths 
oft. 

Of  the  Jews  five  times  received  I  forty  stripes  save 
one.  Thrice  was  I  beaten  with  rods,  once  was  I  stoned, 
thrice  I  suffered  shipwreck,  a  night  and  a  day  have  I 
been  in  the  deep;  in  journeyings  often,  in  perils  of 
rivers,  in  perils  of  robbers,  in  perils  from  my  cotmtry- 
men,  in  perils  from  the  Gentiles,  in  perils  in  the  city, 
in  perils  in  the  wilderness,  in  perils  in  the  sea,  in  perils 
among  false  brethren;  in  labor  and  travail,  in  watchings 
often,  in  hunger  and  thirst,  in  fastings  often,  in  cold  and 
nakedness. 


THE   BOAST  OF  REVELATION  101 

Besides  those  things  that  are  without,  there  is  that 
which  presseth  upon  me  daily,  anxiety  for  all  the 
churches.  Who  is  weak,  and  I  am  not  weak?  who 
is  caused  to  stumble,  and  I  burn  not? 

If  I  must  needs  gl®ry,  I  will  glory  of  the  things  that 
concern  my  weakness.  The  God  and  Father  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  he  who  is  blessed  for  evermore  knoweth 
that  I  lie  not.  In  Damascus  the  governor  under 
Aretas  the  king  guarded  the  city  of  the  Damascenes  in 
order  to  take  me:  and  through  a  window  was  I  let 
down  in  a  basket  by  the  wall,  and  escaped  his  hands. 

The  Boast  of  Revelation. 

I  must  needs  glory,  though  it  is  not  expedient;  but 
I  will  come  to  visions  and  revelations  of  the  Lord.  I 
know  a  man  in  Christ,  fourteen  years  ago  (whether  in 
the  body,  I  know  not;  or  whether  out  of  the  body,  I 
know  not;  God  knoweth),  such  a  one  caught  up  even 
to  the  third  heaven.  And  I  know  such  a  man  (whether 
in  the  body,  or  apart  from  the  body,  I  know  not;  God 
knoweth),  how  that  he  was  caught  up  into  Paradise, 
and  heard  unspeakable  words,  which  it  is  not  lawful 
for  a  man  to  utter. 

The  Folly  of  Boasting. 

On  behalf  of  such  a  one  will  I  glory:  but  on  mine 
own  behalf  I  will  not  glory,  save  in  my  weaknesses. 
For  if  I  should  desire  to  glory,  I  shall  not  be  foolish; 
for  I  shall  speak  the  truth :  but  I  forbear,  lest  any  man 
should  account  of  me  above  that  which  he  seeth  me  to 
be,  or  heareth  from  me. 

And  by  reason  of  the  exceeding  greatness  of  the 
revelations,  that  I  should  not  be  exalted  overmuch, 
there  was  given  to  me  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,  a  messenger 
of  Satan  to  buffet  me,  that  I  should  not  be  exalted 


102  AN  APOSTLE   WITHOUT  A  SALARY 

overmuch.  Concerning  this  thing  I  besought  the 
Lord  thrice,  that  it  might  depart  from  me. 

And  he  hath  said  unto  me,  "My  grace  is  sufficient  for 
thee:  for  my  power  is  made  perfect  in  weakness.*' 
Most  gladly  therefore  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  weak- 
nesses, that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me. 
Wherefore  I  take  pleasure  in  weaknesses,  in  injuries, 
in  necessities,  in  persecutions,  in  distresses,  for  Christ's 
sake :  for  when  I  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong. 

I  am  become  foolish:  ye  compelled  me;  for  I  ought 
to  have  been  commended  of  you:  for  in  nothing  was  I 
behind  the  very  chiefest  apostles,  though  I  am  nothing. 

An  Apostle  Without  a  Salary. 

Truly  the  signs  of  an  apostle  were  wrought  among 
you  in  all  patience,  by  signs  and  wonders  and  mighty 
works.  For  what  is  there  wherein  ye  were  made 
inferior  to  the  rest  of  the  churches,  except  it  be  that  I 
myself  was  not  a  burden  to  you  ?  forgive  me  this  wrong 

The  Consequent  Suspicion. 

Behold,  this  is  the  third  time  I  am  ready  to  come  to 
you;  and  I  will  not  be  a  burden  to  you:  for  I  seek  not 
yours,  but  you:  for  the  children  ought  not  to  lay  up  for 
the  parents,  but  the  parents  for  the  children.  And  I 
will  most  gladly  spend  and  be  spent  for  your  souls. 
If  I  love  3^ou  more  abundantly,  am  I  loved  the  less? 

But  be  it  so,  I  did  not  myself  burden  you;  but,  being 
crafty,  I  caught  you  with  guile. 

Did  I  take  advantage  of  you  by  any  one  of  thorn 
whom  I  have  sent  unto  you?  I  exhorted  Titus,  and  I 
sent  the  brother  with  him.  Did  Titus  take  any  ad- 
vantage of  you?  walked  we  not  in  the  same  spirit? 
walked  we  not  in  the  same  steps? 


warning  of  the  forthcoming  visit  103 

Warning  of  the  Forthcoming  Visit 

Ye  think  all  this  time  that  we  are  excusing  ourselves 
unto  you.     In  the  sight  of  God  speak  we  in  Christ. 

But  all  things,  beloved,  are  for  your  edifying.  For 
I  fear,  lest  by  any  means,  when  I  come,  I  should  find 
you  not  such  as  I  would,  and  should  myself  be  found 
of  you  such  as  ye  would  not;  lest  by  any  means  there 
should  be  strife,  jealousy,  wraths,  factions,  backbitings, 
whisperings,  swellings,  tumults;  lest  again  when  I  come 
my  God  should  humble  me  before  you.  and  I  should 
mourn  for  many  of  them  that  have  sinned  heretofore, 
and  repented  not  of  the  uncleanness  and  fornication 
and  lasciviousness  which  they  committed. 

This  is  the  third  time  I  am  coming  to  you.  At  the 
mouth  of  two  witnesses  or  three  shall  every  word  be 
established. 

I  have  said  beforehand,  and  I  do  say  beforehand,  as 
when  I  was  present  the  second  time,  so  now,  being 
absent,  to  them  that  have  sinned  heretofore,  and  to  all 
the  rest,  that,  if  I  come  again,  I  will  not  spare;  seeing 
that  ye  seek  a  proof  of  Christ  that  speak eth  in  me ;  who 
to  you-ward  is  not  weak,  but  is  powerful  in  you:  for 
he  was  crucified  through  weakness,  yet  he  liveth 
through  the  power  of  God.  For  we  also  are  weak  in 
him,  but  we  shall  live  with  him  through  the  power  of 
God  toward  you. 

Try  your  own  selves,  whether  ye  are  in  the  faith; 
prove  your  own  selves.  Or  know  ye  not  as  to  your  own 
selves,  that  Jesus  Christ  s  in  you?  unless  indeed  ye 
be  reprobate.  But  I  hope  that  ye  shall  know  that  we 
are  not  reprobate. 

Confidence  in  the  Forthcoming  Visit. 

Now  we  pray  to  God  that  ye  do  no  evil ;  not  that  we 
may  appear  approved,  but  that  ye  may  do  that  which 


104  SALUTATIONS 

is  honorable,  though  we  be  as  reprobate.  For  we  can 
do  nothing  against  the  truth,  but  for  the  truth.  For 
we  rejoice,  when  we  are  weak,  and  ye  are  strong:  this 
we  also  pray  for,  even  your  perfecting. 

For  this  cause  I  write  these  things  while  absent, 
that  I  may  not  when  present  deal  sharply,  according 
to  the  authority  which  the  Lord  gave  me  for  building 
up,  and  not  for  casting  down. 

Salutations. 

Finally,  brethren,  farewell.  Be  perfected;  be  com- 
forted; be  of  the  same  mind;  live  in  peace:  and  the 
God  of  love  and  peace  shall  be  with  you.  Salute  one 
another  with  a  holy  kiss. 

All  the  saints  salute  you. 

The    Grace   of  the    Lord  Jesus    Christ. 

And  the   Love  of  God, 

And  the  Communion  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 

Be  with  You  All. 


Through  Macedonia  to  Corinth. 

And  when  he  had  gone  through  those  parts,  and  had 
given  them  much  exhortation,  he  came  into  Greece. 


THE  LETTER  TO  THE  ROMANS/ 

PAUL,  A  SERVANT  OF  JESUS  CHRIST,  CALLED  TO  BE  AN 
APOSTLEv  SEPARATED  UNTO  THE  GOSPEL  OF  GOD, 
WHICH  HE  PROMISED  AFORE  THROUGH  HIS  PROPHETS 
IN  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES,  CONCERNING  HIS  SON, 
WHO  WAS  BORN  OF  THE  SEED  OF  DAVID  ACCORDING 
TO  THE  FLESH,  WHO  WAS  DECLARED  TO  BE  THE  SON 
OF  GOD  WITH  POWER,  ACCORDING  TO  THE  SPIRIT 
OF  HOLINESS,  BY  THE  RESURRECTION  FROM  THE 
dead;  even  JESUS  CHRIST  our  lord,  THROUGH 
WHOM  WE  RECEIVED  GRACE  AND  APOSTLESHIP,  UNTO 
OBEDIENCE  OF  FAITH  AMONG  ALL  THE  NATIONS, 
FOR  HIS  name's  sake;  AMONG  WHOM  ARE  YE  ALSO, 
CALLED   TO    BE   JESUS    CHRIST's:   TO    ALL   THAT    ARE    IN 

rome,  beloved  of  god,  called  to  be  saints: 
grace  to  you  and  peace  from  god  our  father 
and  the  lord  jesus  christ. 

Desire  to  Preach  in   Rome. 

First,  I  thank  my  God  through  Jesus  Christ  for  you 
all,  that  your  faith  is  proclaimed  throughout  the 
whole  world.  For  God  is  my  witness,  whom  I  serve 
in  my  spirit  in  the  gospel  of  his  Son,  how  unceasingly 
I  make  mention  of  you,  always  in  my  prayers  making 
request,  if  by  any  means  now  at  length  I  may  be 
prospered  by  the  will  of  God  to  come  unto  you.  For 
I  long  to  see  you,  that  I  may  impart  unto  you  some 
spiritual  gift,  to  the  end  3^e  may  be  established;  that 
is,  that  I  with  you  may  be  comforted  in  you,  each  of  us 
by  the  other's  faith,  both  yours  and  mine. 

And  I  would  not  have  you  ignorant,  brethren,  that 
oftentimes   I    purposed   to   come   unto   you    (and  was 

(^This  letter  was  probably  written  to  Rome  during  Paul's  three 
months'  stay  in  Corinth. 

105 


106  THE   GREAT  THEME 

hindered  hitherto),  that  I  might  have  some  fruit  in 
you  also,  even  as  in  the  rest  of  the  Gentiles.  I  am 
debtor  both  to  Greeks  and  to  Barbarians,  both  to  the 
wise  and  to  the  foolish.  So,  as  much  as  in  me  is,  I  am 
ready  to  preach  the  gospel  to  you  also  that  are  in 
Rome. 

The  Great  Theme. 

For  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel:  for  it  is  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  everyone  that  believeth; 
to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Greek.  For  therein  is 
revealed  a  righteousness  of  God  from  faith  unto  faith: 
as  it  is  written,  "But  the  righteous  shall  live  by  faith." 

God's  Wrath  Against  Sin, 

For  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven  against 
all  ungodliness  and  unrighteousness  of  men,  who 
hinder  the  truth  in  unrighteousness;  because  that 
which  is  known  of  God  is  manifest  in  them;  for  God 
manifested  it  unto  them. 

The   Failure  of  the  Gentile. 

For  the  invisible  things  of  him  since  the  creation  of 
the  world  are  clearly  seen,  being  perceived  through  the 
things  that  are  made,  even  his  everlasting  power  and 
divinity;  that  they  may  be  without  excuse:  because 
that,  knowing  God,  they  glorified  him  not  as  God, 
neither  gave  thanks;  but  became  vain  in  their  reason- 
ings, and  their  senseless  heart  was  darkened.  Pro- 
fessing themselves  to  be  wise,  they  became  fools,  and 
changed  the  glory  of  the  incorruptible  God  for  the 
likeness  of  an  image  of  corruptible  man,  and  of  birds, 
and  four-footed  beasts,  and  creeping  things. 

Wherefore  God  gave  them  up  in  the  lusts  of  their 
hearts  unto  uncleanncss,  that  their  bodies  should  be 
dishonored  among  themselves :  for  that  they  exchanged 


THE   VICES   OF  HEATHENISM  107 

the  truth  ot  God  for  a  lie,  and  worshipped  and  served 
the  creature  rather  than  the  Creator,  who  is  blessed 
for  ever.     Amen 

The  Vices  of  Heathenism. 

For  this  cause  God  gave  them  up  into  vile  passions : 
for  their  women  changed  the  natural  use  into  that 
which  is  against  nature:  and  likewise  also  the  men, 
leaving  the  natural  use  of  the  woman,  burned  in  their 
lust  one  toward  another,  men  with  men  working 
unseemliness,  and  receiving  in  themselves  that  recom- 
pense of  their  error  which  was  due. 

And  even  as  they  refused  to  have  God  in  their 
knowledge,  God  gave  them  up  unto  a  reprobate  mind, 
to  do  those  things  which  are  not  fitting;  being  filled 
with  all  unrighteousness,  wickedness,  covetousness, 
maliciousness;  full  of  envy,  murder,  strife,  deceit, 
malignity;  whisperers,  backbiters,  hateful  to  God, 
insolent,  haughty,  boastful,  inventors  of  evil  things, 
disobedient  to  parents,  without  understanding,  cove- 
nant-breakers, without  natural  affection,  unmerciful: 
who,  knowing  the  ordinance  of  God,  that  they  that 
practise  such  things  are  worthy  of  death,  not  only 
do  the  same,  but  also  consent  with  them  that  practise 
them. 

God  Without  Favoritism. 

Wherefore  thou  art  without  excuse,  O  man,  whoso- 
ever thou  art  that  judgest;  for  wherein  thou  judgest 
another,  thou  condemnest  thyself;  for  thou  that 
judgest  dost  practise  the  same  things. 

And  we  know  that  the  judgment  of  God  is  according 
to  truth  against  them  that  practise  such  things.  And 
reckonest  thou  this,  O  man,  who  judgest  them  that 
practise  such  things,  and  doest  the  same,  that  thou 
shalt  escape  the  judgment  of  God? 


108  JUDGMENT  ACCORDING  TO  LIGHT 

Or  despisest  thou  the  riches  of  his  goodness  and  for- 
bearance and  longsuffering,  not  knowing  that  the 
goodness  of  God  leadeth  thee  to  repentance?  but  after 
thy  hardness  and  impenitent  heart  treasurest  up  for 
thyself  wrath  in  the  day  of  wrath  and  revelation  of  the 
righteous  judgment  of  God;  who  will  render  to  every 
man  according  to  his  works:  to  them  that  by  patience 
in  well-doing  seek  for  glory  and  honor  and  incorruption, 
eternal  life:  but  unto  them  that  are  factious,  and  obey 
not  the  truth,  but  obey  unrighteousness,  shall  be 
wrath  and  indignation,  tribulation  and  anguish,  upon 
every  soul  of  man  that  worketh  evil,  of  the  Jew  first, 
and  a' so  of  the  Greek;  but  glory  and  honor  and  peace 
to  every  man  that  worketh  good,  to  the  Jew  first, 
and  also  to  the  Greek :  for  there  is  no  respect  of  persons 
with  God. 

Judgment  According  to  Light. 

For  as  many  as  have  sinned  without  the  law  shall 
also  perish  without  the  law:  and  as  many  as  have 
sinned  under  the  law  shall  be  judged  by  the  law;  for 
not  the  hearers  of  the  law  are  just  before  God,  but  the 
doers  of  the  law  shall  be  justified;  (for  when  Gentiles 
that  have  not  the  law  do  by  nature  the  things  of  the 
law,  these,  not  having  the  law,  are  the  law  unto  them- 
selves; in  that  they  show  the  work  of  the. law  written 
in  their  hearts,  their  conscience  bearing  witness  there- 
with, and  their  thoughts  one  with  another  accusing 
or  else  excusing  them) ;  in  the  day  when  God  shall 
judge  the  secrets  of  men;  according  to  rny  gospel,  by 
Jesus  Christ, 

The  Failure  of  the  Jew. 

But  if  thou  bearest  the  name  of  a  Jew,  and  restest 
upon  the  law,  and  gloriest  in  God,  and  knowest  his 


god's  grace  to  the  jew  109 

will,  andapprovest  the  things  that  are  excellent,  being 
instructed  out  of  the  law,  and  art  confident  that  thou 
thyself  art  a  guide  of  the  blind,  a  light  of  them  that 
are  in  darkness,  a  corrector  of  the  foolish,  a  teacher  of 
babes,  having  in  the  law  the  form  of  knowledge  and 
of  the  truth';  thou  therefore  that  teachest  another, 
teachest  thou  not  thyself?  thou  that  preachest  a  man 
should  not  steal,  dost  thou  steal?  thou  that  sayest  a 
man  should  not  commit  adultery,  dost  thou  commit 
adultery?  thou  that  abhorrest  idols  dost  thou  rob 
temples?  thou  who  gloriest  in  the  law,  through  thy  trans- 
gression of  the  law  dishonorest  thou  God?  For  the 
name  of  God  is  blasphemed  among  the  Gentiles  because 
of  you,  even  as  it  is  written 

For  circumcision  indeed  profiteth,  if  thou  be  a  doer 
of  the  law :  but  if  thou  be  a  transgressor  of  the  law,  thy 
circumcision  is  become  uncircumcision.  If  therefore 
he  uncircumcision  keep  the  ordinances  of  the  law, 
shall  not  his  uncircumcision  be  reckoned  for  circum- 
cision? and  shall  not  the  uncircumcision  which  is  by 
nature,  if  it  fulfil  the  law,  judge  thee,  who  with  the 
letter  and  circumcision  art  a  transgressor  of  the  law? 

For  he  is  not  a  Jew  who  is  one  outwardly;  neither 
is  that  circumcision  which  is  outward  in  the  flesh: 
but  he  is  a  Jew  who  is  one  inwardly;  and  circumcision 
is  that  of  the  heart,  in  the  spirit  not  in  the  letter;  whose 
praise  is  not  of  men,  but  of  God. 

God's  Grace  to  the  Jew. 

What  advantage  then  hath  the  Jew?  or  what  is  the 
profit  of  circumcision?  Much  every  way:  first  of  all, 
that  they  were  intrusted  with  the  oracles    f  God. 

For  what  if  some  were  without  faith?  shall  their 
want  of  faith  make  of  none  effect  the  faithfulness  of 


110  SIN   WITHOUT  EXCUSE 

God?     God  forbid:  yea,  let   God  be  found  true,  but 
every  man  a  liar;  as  it  is  written, 

■  "That  thou  mightest  be  justified  in  thy  words. 
And   mightest    prevail    when    thou   comest   into 
judgment." 

Sin  Without  Excuse. 
But  if  our  unrighteousness  commendeth  the  right- 
eousness of  God,  what  shall  we  say?  Is  God  unright- 
eous who  visiteth  with  wrath?  (I  speak  after  the  man- 
ner of  men.)  God  forbid:  for  then  how  shall  God  judge 
the  world?  But  if  the  truth  of  God  through  my  lie 
abounded  unto  his  glory,  why  am  I  also  still  judged  as 
a  sinner?  and  why  not  (as  we  are  slanderously  reported, 
and  as  some  affirm  that  we  say),  "Let  us  do  evil,  that 
good  may  come"?  whose  condemnation  is  just. 

The  Universal  Failure. 

What  then?  are  we  better  than  they?     No,  in  no 
wise:  for  we  before  laid  to  the  charge  both  of  Jews 
and  Greeks,  that  they  are  all  under  sin;  as  it  is  written, 
"There  is  none  righteous,  no,  not  one; 
There  is  none  that  understandeth. 
There  is  none  that  seeketh  after  God; 
They  have  all  turned  aside,   they  are  together 

become  unprofitable; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no,  not  so  much 

as  one; 
Their  throat  is  an  open  sepulchre; 
With  their  tongues  they  have  used  deceit: 
The  poison  of  asps  is  under  their  lips: 
Whose  mouth  is  full  of  cursing  and  bitterness: 
Their  feet  are  swift  to  shed  blood; 
Destruction  and  misery  are  in  their  ways; 
And  the  way  of  peace  have  they  not  known: 
There  is  no  fear  of  God  before  their  eyes." 

Now  we  know  that  what  things  soever  the  law  saith, 
it  speaketh  to  them  that  are  under  the  law;  that 
every  mouth  may  be  stopped,  and  all  the  world  may 


THE   NEW  JUSTIFICATION  111 

be  brought  under  the  judgment  of  God:  because  by  the 
works  of  the  law  shall  no  flesh  be  justified  in  his  sight; 
for  through  the  law  cometh  the  knowledge  of  sin. 

The  New  Justification. 

But  now  apart  from  the  law  a  righteousness  of  God 
hath  been  manifested,  being  witnessed  by  the  law  and 
the  prophets;  even  the  righteousness  of  God  through 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ  unto  all  them  that  believe;  for 
there  is  no  distinction;  for  all  have  sinned,  and  fall 
short  of  the  glory  of  God;  being  justified  freely  by  his 
grace  through  the  redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus: 
whom  God  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation,  through  faith, 
in  his  blood,  to  show  his  righteousness  because  of  the 
passing  over  of  the  sins  done  aforetime,  in  the  forbear- 
ance of  God;  for  the  showing,  I  say,  of  his  righteousness 
at  this  present  season:  that  he  might  himself  be  just, 
and  the  justifier  of  him  that  hath  faith  in  Jesus. 

Boasting  Excluded. 

Where  then  is  the  glorying?  It  is  excluded.  By 
what  manner  of  law?  of  works?  Nay:  but  by  a  law 
of  faith. 

We  reckon  therefore  that  a  man  is  justified  by  faith 
apart  from  the  works  of  the  law.  Or  is  God  the  God 
of  Jews  only?  is  he  not  the  God  of  Gentiles  also?  Yea, 
of  Gentiles  also:  if  so  be  that  God  is  one,  and  he  shall 
justify  the  circumcision  by  faith,  and  the  uncircum- 
cision  through  faith.  Do  we  then  make  the  law  of 
nons  effect  through  faith?  God  forbid:  nay,  we  es- 
tablish the  law. 

Abraham  Justified  by  Faith. 

What  then  shall  we  say  that  Abraham,  our  fore- 
father,   hath   found   according    to    the    flesh?     For   if 


112  ABRAHAM,   FATHER  OF  ALL  THE   FAITHFUL 

Abraham  was  justified  by  works,  he  hath  whereof  to 
glory;  but  not  toward  God. 

For  what  saith  the  scripture?  "And  Abraham  be- 
lieved God,  and  it  was  reckoned  unto  him  for  right- 
eousness." Now  to  him  that  worketh,  the  reward 
is  not  reckoned  as  of  grace,  but  as  of  debt.  But  to 
him  that  worketh  not,  but  believeth  on  him  that  justi- 
fieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  reckoned  for  righteousness. 
Even  as  David  also  pronounceth  blessing  upon  the 
man,  unto  whom  God  reckoneth  righteousness  apart 
from  works,  saying, 

"Blessed  are  they  whose  iniquities  are  forgiven, 

And  whose  sins  are  covered. 

Blessed    is    the    man    to   whom  the  Lord  will  not 
reckon  sin." 

Abraham,  Father  of  All  the  Faithful. 

Is  this  blessing  then  pronounced  upon  the  circum- 
cision, or  upon  the  uncircumcision  also?  for  we  say, 
To  Abraham  his  faith  was  reckoned  for  righteousness. 
How  then  was  it  reckoned?  when  he  was  in  circum- 
cision, or  in  uncircumcision?  Not  in  circumcision, 
but  in  uncircumcision:  and  he  received  the  sign  of 
circumcision,  a  seal  of  the  righteousness  of  the  faith 
which  he  had  while  he  was  in  uncircumcision:  that  he 
might  be  the  father  of  all  them  that  believe,  though 
they  be  in  uncircumcision,  that  righteousness  might 
be  reckoned  unto  them:  and  the  fath  r  of  circumcision 
to  them  who  not  only  are  of  the  circumcision,  but  who 
also  walk  in  the  steps  of  that  faith  of  our  father  Abra- 
ham which  he  had  in  uncircumcision. 

The  Promise  Before  the  Law. 

For  not  through  the  law  was  the  promise  to  Abra- 
ham or  to  his  seed  that  he  should  be  heir  of  the  world, 
but  through  the  righteousness  of  faith. 


FAITH  IN  THE   PROMISE  113 

For  if  they  that  are  of  the  law  are  heirs,  faith  is  made 
void,  and  the  promise  is  made  of  none  effect:  for  the 
law  worketh  wrath;  but  where  there  is  no  law,  neither 
is  there  transgression. 

For  this  cause  it  is  of  faith,  that  it  may  be  according 
to  grace;  to  the  end  that  the  promise  may  be  sure  to 
all  the  seed;  not  to  that  only  which  is  of  the  law,  but 
to  that  also  which  is  of  the  faith  of  Abraham,  who 
is  the  father  of  us  all  (as  it  is  written  "A  father  of  many 
nations  have  I  made  thee")  before  him  whom  he  be- 
lieved, even  God,  who  giveth  life  to  the  dead,  and  call- 
eth  the  things  that  are  not,  as  though  they  were. 
Who  in  hope  believed  against  hope,  to  the  end  that  he 
might  become  a  father  of  many  nations,  according  to 
that  which  had  been  spoken,  "So  shall  thy  seed  be.  ' 

Faith  in  the  Promise. 

Arid  without  being  weakened  in  faith  he  considered 
his  own  body  now  as  good  as  dead  (he  being  about  a 
hundred  years  old),  and  the  deadness  of  Sarah's 
womb;  yet,  looking  unto  the  promise  of  God,  he  wav- 
ered not  through  unbelief,  but  waxed  strong  through 
faith,  giving  glory  to  God.  and  being  fully  assured  that 
what  he  had  promised,  he  was  able  also  to  perform. 
Wherefore  also  it  was  reckoned  unto  him  for  righteous- 
ness. 

Now  it  was  not  written  for  his  sake  alone,  that  it  was 
reckoned  unto  him;  but  for  our  sake  also,  unto  whom 
it  shall  be  reckoned,  who  believe  on  him  that  raised 
Jesus  our  Lord  from  the  dead,  who  was  delivered  up  for 
our  trespasses,   and   was  raised  for  our  justification. 

Peace  After  Faith. 

Being  therefore  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace 
with  God  th  rough  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  through  whom 


114  THE    HOPE  OF  SALVATION 

also  we  have  had  our  access  by  faith  into  this  grace 
wherein  we  stand;  aud  we  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory 
of  God. 

The  Hope  of  Salvation. 

And  not  only  so,  but  we  also  rejoice  in  our  tribula- 
tions: knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  stedfastness; 
and  stedfastness,  appro vedness ;  and  appro vedness, 
hope :  and  hope  putteth  not  to  shame ;  because  the  love 
of  God  hath  been  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  through 
the  Holy  Spirit  which  was  given  unto  us. 

The  Hope  Founded  on  Divine  Love. 

For  while  we  were  yet  weak,  in  due  season  Christ 
died  for  the  ungodly.  For  scarcely  for  a  righteous  man 
will  one  die:  for  peradventure  for  the  good  man  some 
one  would  even  dare  to  die.  But  God  commendeth 
his  own  love  toward  us,  in  that,  while  we  were  yet 
sinners,  Christ  died  for  us. 

Much  more  then,  being  now  justified  by  his  blood, 
shall  we  be  saved  from  the  wrath  of  God  through  him. 
For  if,  while  we  were  enemies,  we  were  reconciled  to 
God  through  the  death  of  his  Son,  much  more,  being 
reconciled,  shall  we  be  saved  by  his  life;  and  not  only 
so,  but  we  also  rejoice  in  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  through  whom  we  have  now  received  the  recon- 
ciliation. 

The  Common  Lot  of  Death 

Therefore,  as  through  one  man  sin  entered  into  the 
world,  and  death  through  sin;  and  so  death  passed 
unto  all  rsen,  for  that  all  sinned: — for  until  the  law 
sin  was  in  the  world ;  but  sin  is  not  imputed  when  there 
is  no  law.  Nevertheless  death  reigned  from  Adam 
until  Moses,  even  over  them  that  had  not  sinned  after 


THE   GIFT   OF   UNIVERSAL  GRACE  115 

the  likeness  of  Adam's  transgression,  who  is  a  figure 
of  him  that  was  to  come. 

The  Gift  of  Universal  Grace. 

But  not  as  the  trespass,  so  also  is  the  free  gift.  For 
if  by  the  trespass  of  the  one  the  many  died,  much  more 
did  the  grace  of  God,  and  the  gift  by  the  grace  of  the 
one  man,  Jesus  Christ,  abound  unto  the  many.  And 
not  as  through  one  that  sinned,  so  is  the  gift:  for  the 
judgment  came  of  one  unto  condemnation,  but  the 
free  gift  came  of  many  trespasses  unto  justification. 
For  if,  by  the  trespass  of  the  one,  death  reigned  through 
the  one;  much  more  shall  they  that  receive  the  abun- 
dance of  grace  and  of  the  gift  of  righteousness  reign 
in  life  through  the  one,  even  Jesus  Christ. 

Abounding  Grace. 

So  then  as  through  one  trespass  the  judgment  came 
unto  all  men  to  condemnation;  even  so  through  one 
act  of  righteousness  the  free  gift  came  unto  all  men  to 
justification  of  life.  For  as  through  the  one  man's 
disobedience  the  many  were  made  sinners,  even  so 
through  the  obedience  of  the  one  shall  the  many  be 
made  righteous. 

And  the  law  came  in  besides,  that  the  trespass  might 
abound;  but  where  sin  abounded,  grace  did  abound 
more  exceedingly:  that,  as  sin  reigned  in  death,  even 
so  might  grace  reign  through  righteousness  unto  eternal 
life  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

The  Death  to  Sin. 

What  shall  we  say  then?  Shall  we  continue  in  sin, 
that  grace  may  abound?  God  forbid.  We  who  died 
to  sin,  how  shall  we  any  longer  live  therein? 

Or  are  ye  ignorant  that  all  we  who  were  baptized 


116  THE  RESURRECTION  TO  RIGHTEOUSNESS 

into  Christ  Jesus  were  baptized  into  his  death?  We 
were  buried  therefore  with  him  through  baptism  into 
death:  that  like  as  Christ  was  raised  from  the  dead 
through  the  glory  of  the  Father,  so  we  also  might  walk 
in  newness  of  life. 

For  if  we  have  become  united  with  him  in  the  like- 
ness of  his  death,  we  shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of  his 
resurrection;  knowing  this,  that  our  old  man  was 
crucified  with  him,  that  the  body  of  sin  might  be  done 
away,  that  so  we  should  no  longer  be  in  bondage  to 
sin;  for  he  that  hath  died  is  justified  from  sin. 

The  Resurrection  to  Righteousness. 

But  if  we  died  with  Christ,  we  believe  that  we  shall 
also  live  with  him;  knowing  that  Christ  being  raised 
from  the  dead  dieth  no  more;  death  no  more  hath 
dominion  over  him.  For  the  death  that  he  died,  he 
died  unto  sin  once :  but  the  life  that  he  liveth,  he  liveth 
unto  God.  Even  so  reckon  ye  also  yourselves  to  be 
dead  unto  sin,  but  alive  unto  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

The  Higher  Obedience. 

Let  not  sin  therefore  reign  in  your  mortal  body,  that 
ye  should  obey  the  lusts  thereof:  neither  present  your 
members  unto  sin  as  instruments  of  unrighteousness ; 
but  present  yourselves  unto  God,  as  alive  from  the 
dead,  and  your  members  as  instruments  of  righteous- 
ness unto  God.  For  sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over 
you:  for  ye  are  not  under  law,  but  under  grace 

Servitude  and  Freedom. 

What  then?  shall  we  sin,  because  we  are  not  under 
law,  but  under  grace?     God  forbid. 

Know  ye  not,  that  to  whom  ye  present  yourselves 
as  servants  unto  obedience,  his  servants  ye  are  whom 


THE   OLD   BOND  AND  THE   NEW  117 

ye  obey;  whether  of  sin  unto  death,  or  of  obedience  unto 
righteousness  ? 

But  thanks  be  to  God,  that,  whereas  ye  were  ser- 
vants of  sin,  ye  became  obedient  from  the  heart  to 
that  form  of  teaching  whereunto  ye.  were  delivered; 
and  being  made  free  from  sin,  ye  became  servants  of 
righteousness.  I  speak  after  the  manner  of  men  be- 
cause of  the  infirmity  of  your  flesh :  for  as  ye  presented 
your  members  as  servants  to  uncleanness  and  to  ini- 
quity unto  iniquity,  even  so  now  present  your  members, 
as  servants  to  righteousness  unto  sanctification. 

For  when  ye  were  servants  of  sin,  ye  were  free  in  re- 
gard o  righteousness.  What  fruit  then  had  3^e  at  that 
time  in  the  things  whereof  ye  are  now  ashamed?  for 
the  end  of  those  things  is  death. 

But  now  being  made  free  from  sin  and  become  ser- 
vants to  God,  ye  have  your  fruit  unto  sanctification, 
and  the  end  eternal  life.  For  the  wages  of  s  n  is  death ; 
but  the  free  gift  of  God  is  eternal  life  in  Christ  Jesus 
our  Lord. 

The  Old  Bond  and  the  New. 

Or  are  ye  ignorant,  brethren  (for  I  speak  to  men 
who  know  the  law),  that  the  law  hath  dominion  ovei 
a  man  for  so  long  as  he  liveth  ? 

For  the  woman  that  hath  a  husband  is  bound  by  law 
to  the  husband  while  he  Hveth;  but  if  the  husband,  die 
she  is  discharged  from  the  law  of  the  husband.  So 
then  if,  while  the  husband  liveth,  she  be  joined  to  an- 
other man,  she  shall  "be  called  an  adulteress:  but  if 
the  husband  die,  she  is  free  from  the  law,  so  that  she 
is  no  adulteress,  though  she  be  joined  to  another  man. 

Wherefore,  my  brethren,  ye  also  were  made  dead  to 
the  law  through  the  body  of  Christ;  that  ye  should  be 
joined  to  another,  even  to  him  who  was  raised  from 
the  dead,  that  we  might  bring  forth  fruit  unto  God. 


118  THE  PURPOSE  OF  LAW 

For  when  we  were  in  the  flesh,  the  sinful  passions, 
which  were  through  the  law,  wrought  in  our  members 
to  bring  forth  fruit  unto  death.  But  now  we  have 
been  discharged  from  the  law,  having  died  to  that 
wherein  we  were  held;  so  that  we  serve  in  newness  of 
the  spirit,  and  not  in  oldness  of  the  letter. 

The  Purpose  of  Law. 

What  shall  we  say  then?  Is  the  law  sin?  God 
forbid.  Howbeit,  I  had  not  known  sin,  except  through 
the  law:  for  I  had  not  known  coveting  except  the  law 
had  said,  "Thou  shalt  not  covet:"  but  sin,  finding 
occasion,  w^rought  in  me  through  the  commandment 
all  manner  of  coveting:  for  apart  from  the  law  sin  is 
dead. 

And  I  was  al've  apart  from  the  law  once:  but  when 
the  commandment  came,  sin  revived,  and  I  died;  and 
the  commandment,  which  was  unto  life,  this  I  found 
to  be  unto  death:  for  sin,  finding  occasion,  through  the 
commandment  beguiled  me,  and  through  it  slew  me. 

So  that  the  law  is  holy,  and  the  commandment  holy, 
and  righteous,  and  good.  Did  then  that  which  is 
good  become  death  unto  me?  God  forbid.  But 
sin,  that  it  might  be  shown  to  be  sin,  by  working  death 
to  me  through  that  which  is  good; — that  through  the 
commandment  sin  might  become  exceeding  sinful. 

The  Moral  Conflict. 

For  we  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual:  but  I  am 
carnal,  sold  under  sin.  For  that  which  I  do  I  know 
not:  for  not  what  I  would,  that  do  I  practise;  but  what 
I  hate,  that  I  do.  But  if  what  I  would  not,  that  I  do, 
T  consent  unto  the  law  that  it  is  good.  So  now  it  is  no 
more  I  that  do  it,  but  sin  which  dwereth  in  me. 

For  I  know  that  in  me,  that  is,  in  my  flesh,  dwellcth 


THZ   DIVIXE   DELIVERANCE  119 

no  good  thing:  for  to  will  is  present  with  me,  but  to 
do  that  which  is  good  is  not.  For  the  good  which 
I  would  I  do  not :  but  the  evil  which  I  would  not,  that 
I  practise.  But  if  what  I  would  not,  that  I  do,  it  is 
no  more  I  that  do  it,  but  sin  which  dwel  eth  in  me. 

I  find  then  the  law,  that,  to  me  who  would  do  good, 
evil  is  present.  For  I  delight  in  the  law  of  God  after 
the  inward  man :  but  I  see  a  different  law  in  my  mem- 
bers, warring  against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  bring- 
ing me  into  captivity  under  the  law  of  sin  which  is  in 
my  members. 

The  Divine  Deliverance. 

Wretched  man  that  I  am!  who  shall  deliver  me  out 
of  the  body  of  this  death  ?  I  thank  God  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.  So  then  I  of  myself  with  the  mind, 
indeed,  serve  the  law  of  God;  but  with  the  flesh  the 
law  of  sin. 

No  Condemnation. 

There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  them 
that  are  in  Christ  Jesus.  For  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of 
life  in  Christ  Jesus  made  me  free  from  the  law  of  sin 
and  of  death. 

For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak 
through  the  f^esh,  God,  sending  his  own  Son  in  the 
likeness  of  sinful  flesh  and  for  sin,  condemned  sin  in 
the  flesh:  that  the  ordinance  of  the  law  might  be 
fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh,  but  after 
the  Spirit. 

The  Flesh  and  the  Spirit. 

For  they  that  are  after  the  flesh  mind  the  things 
of  the  flesh  ;  but  they  that  are  after  the  Spirit  the  things 
of  the  Spirit.  For  the  mind  of  the  flesh  is  death;  but 
the  mind  of  the  Spirit  is  life  and  peace:  because  the 


120  HEIRS   OF  GOD 

mind  of  the  flesh  is  enmity  against  God;  for  it  is  not 
subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  it  be:  and 
they  that  are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please  God. 

But  ye  are  not  in  the  flesh  but  in  the  Spirit,  if  so  be 
that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you.  But  if  any 
man  hath  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his. 

And  if  Christ  is  in  you,  the  body  is  dead  because  of 
sin;  but  the  spirit  is  life  because  of  righteousness.  But 
if  the  Spirit  of  him  that  raised  up  Jesus  from  the  dead 
dwelleth  in  you,  he  that  raised  up  Christ  Jesus  from 
the  dead  shall  give  life  also  to  your  mortal  bodies 
through  his  Spirit  that  dwelleth  in  you. 

Heirs  of  God. 

So  then,  brethren,  we  are  debtors,  not  to  the  flesh, 
to  live  after  the  flesh:  for  if  ye  live  after  the  flesh,  ye 
must  die ;  but  if  by  the  vSpirit  ye  put  to  death  the  deeds 
of  the  body,  ye  shall  live. 

For  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  these  are 
the  sons  of  God.  For  ye  received  not  the  spirit  of 
bondage  again  unto  fear;  but  ye  received  the  spirit  of 
adoption,  whereby  we  cry,  "Abba,  Father." 

The  Spirit  himself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirit, 
that  we  are  children  of  God:  and  if  children,  then  heirs; 
heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ;  if  so  be  that 
we  suffer  with  him,  that  we  may  be  also  glorified  with 
him. 

The  Waiting  Universe. 

For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time 
are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which 
shall  be  revealed  to  us-ward. 

For  the  eawiest  expectation  of  the  creation  waitetli 
for  the  revealing  of  the  sons  of  God.  For  the  creation 
was  subjected  to  vanity,  not  of  its  own  will,  but  by 
reason  of  him  who  subjected  it,  in  hope  that  the  ere- 


THE   HOPE   BEYOND  121 

ation  itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of 
corruption  into  the  liberty  of  the  glory  of  the  children 
of  God.  For  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  groan- 
eth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now. 

The  Hope  Beyond. 

And  not  only  so,  but  ourselves  also,  who  have  the 
first-fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within 
ourselves,  waiting  for  our  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemp- 
tion of  our   body. 

For  in  hope  were  we  saved:  but  hope  that  is  seen  is 
not  hope:  for  who  hopeth  for  that  which  he  seeth? 
But  if  we  hope  for  that  which  we  see  not,  then  do  we 
with   patience  wait   foi    it. 

Help   in   Prayer. 

And  in  like  manner  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  in- 
firmity: for  we  know  not  how  to  pray  as  we  ought; 
but  the  Spirit  himself  maketh  intercession  for  us  with 
groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered;  and  he  that 
searcheth  the  hearts  knoweth  what  is  the  mind  of  the 
Spirit,  because  he  maketh  intercession  for  the  saints 
according  to  the  will  of  God. 

The  Process  of  Salvation. 

And  we  know  that  to  them  that  love  God  all  things 
work  together  for  good,  even  to  them  that  are  called 
according  to  his  purpose.  For  whom  he  foreknew, 
he  also  foreordained  to  be  conformed  to  the  image 
of  his  Son,  that  he  might  be  the  first-born  among 
many  brethren:  and  whom  he  foreordained,  them  he 
also  called:  and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also  justified: 
and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also  glorified. 


122  the  mighty  confidence 

The  Mighty  Confidence 

What  then  shall  we  say  to  these  things?  If  God  is 
for  us,  who  is  against  us?  He  that  spared  not  his 
own  Son,  but  dehvered  him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he 
not  also  with  him  freely  give  us  all  things? 

Who  shall  lay  anything  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect? 
It  is  God  that  justifieth;  who  is  he  that  condemneth? 
It  is  Christ  Jesus  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  was  raised 
from  the  dead,  who  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who 
also  maketh  intercession  for  us. 

Who    shall    separate   us   from    the   love   of   Christ? 

shall  tribulation,  or  anguish,  or  persecution,  or  famine, 

or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword?     Even  as  it  is  written, 

"For  thy  sake  we  are  killed  all  the  day  long; 

We  were  accounted  as  sheep  for  the  slaughter." 

Nay,  in  all  these  things  we  are  more  than  conquerors 
through  him  that  loved  us.  For  I  am  persuaded,  that 
neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities, 
nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  powers,  nor 
height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be 
able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

The  Sadness  of   Israel's  Unbelief. 

I  say  the  truth  in  Christ,  I  lie  not,  my  conscience 
bearing  witness  with  me  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  I 
have  great  sorrow  and  unceasing  pain  in  my  heart. 
For  I  could  wish  that  I  myself  were  anathema  from 
Christ  for  my  brethren's  sake,  my  kinsmen  according 
to  the  flesh:  who  are  Israelites;  whose  is  the  adoption, 
and  the  glory,  and  the  covenants,  and  the  giving  of 
the  law,  and  the  service  of  God,  and  the  promises; 
whose  are  the  fathers,  and  of  whom  is  Christ  as  con- 
cerning the  flesh,  who  is  over  all,  God  blessed  for  ever. 
Amen. 


god's   choice  of  ISRAEL  123 

God's  Choice  of  Israel. 

But  it  is  not  as  though  the  word  of  God  hath  come 
to  nought.  For  they  are  not  all  Israel,  that  are  of 
Israel:  neither,  because  they  are  Abraham's  seed,  are 
they  all  children:  but,  "In  Isaac  shall  thy  seed  be 
called." 

That  is,  it  is  not  the  children  of  the  flesh  that 
are  children  of  God;  but  the  children  of  the 
promise  are  reckoned  for  a  seed.  For  this  is  a  word 
of  promise,  "According  to  this  season  will  I  come,  and 
Sarah  shall  have  a  son."  And  not  only  so;  but  Re- 
becca also  having  conceived  by  one,  even  by  our  father 
Isaac — for  the  children  being  not  yet  born,  neither 
having  done  anything  good  or  bad,  that  the  purpose 
of  God  according  to  election  might  stand,  not  of  works, 
but  of  him  that  calleth,  it  was  said  unto  her,  "The  elder 
shall  serve  the  younger."  Even  as  it  is  written, 
"Jacob  I  loved,  but  Esau  I  hated." 

What  shall  we  say  then?  Is  there  unrighteousness 
with  God?  God  forbid.  For  he  saith  to  Moses,  "I 
will  have  mercy  on  whom  I  have  mercy,  and  I  will  have 
compassion  on  whom  I  have  compassion." 

God's  Sovereign  Choice. 

So  then  it  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of  him  that 
runneth,  but  of  God  that  hath  mercy. 

For  the  scripture  saith  unto  Pharaoh,  "For  this  very 
purpose  did  I  raise  thee  up,  that  I  might  show  in  thee 
my  power,  and  that  my  name  might  be  published 
abroad  in  all  the  earth."  So  then  he  hath  mercy  on 
whom  he  will,  and  whom  he  will  he  hardeneth. 

God's  Discriminating  Choice. 

Thou  wilt  say  then  unto  me,  Why  doth  he  still  find 
fault?     For  who  withstandeth  his  will?     Nay  but,  O 


124  Israel's  failure 

man,  who  art  thou  that  repliest  against  God?  Shall 
the  thing  formed  say  to  him  that  formed  it,  "Why  didst 
thou  make  me  thus?"  Or  hath  not  the  potter  a 
right  over  the  clay,  from  the  same  lump  to  make  one 
part  a  vessel  unto  honor,  and  anothe-  unto  dishonor? 
What  if  God,  willing  to  show  his  wrath,  and  to  make 
his  power  known,  endured  with  much  longsuffering 
vessels  of  wrath  fitted  unto  destruction:  and  that  he 
might  make  known  the  riches  of  his  glory  upon  vessels 
of  mercy,  which  he  afore  prepared  unto  glory,  even 
us,  whom  he  also  called,  not  from  the  Jews  only,  but 
also  from  the  Gentiles?     As  he  saith  also  in  Hosea, 

"I  will  call  that  my  people,  which  was  not  my 
people ; 
And  her  beloved,  that  was  not  beloved. 
And  it  shall  be,  that  in  the  place  where  it  was 

said  imto  them,  'Ye  are  not  my  people,' 
There  shall  they  be  called  sons  of  the  living  God." 

And  Isaiah  crieth  concerning  Israel,  "If  the  number 
of  the  children  of  Israel  be  as  the  sand  of  the  sea,  it  is 
the  remnant  that  shall  be  saved:  for  the  Lord  will 
execute  his  word  upon  the  earth,  finishing  it  and  cut- 
ting it  short." 

And,  as  Isaiah  hath  said  before, 

"Except  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth  had  left  us  a  seed. 
We  had  become  as  Sodom,  and  had  been  made 
like  unto  Gomorrah." 

Israel's  Failure. 

What  shall  we  say  then?  That  the  Gentiles,  who 
followed  not  after  righteousness,  attained  to  righteous- 
ness, even  the  righteousness  which  is  of  faith:  but 
Israel,  following  after  a  law  of  righteousness,  did  not 
arrive  at  that  law.  Wherefore?  Because  they  sought 
it  not  by  faith,  but  asit  were  by  works.  They  stumbled 
at  the  stone  of  stumbhng;  even  as  it  is  written, 


SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS  125 

"Behold,  I  lay  in  Zion  a  stone  of  stumbling  and 
a  rock  of  offence : 
And  he  that  believeth  on  him  shall  not  be  put 
to  shame." 

Self-Righteousness. 

Brethren,  my  heart's  desire  and  my  supplication  to 
God  is  for  them,  that  they  may  be  saved. 

For  I  bear  them  witness  that  they  have  a  zeal  for  God, 
but  not  according  to  knowledge,  For  being  ignorant 
of  God's  righteousness,  and  seeking  to  establish  their 
own,  they  did  not  subject  themselves  to  the  righteous- 
ness of  God.  For  Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law  unto 
righteousness  to  every  one  that  believeth.  For  Moses 
writeth  that  the  man  that  doeth  the  righteousness 
which  is  of  the  law  shall  live  thereby. 

Refusal  of  the  Simple  Gospel. 

But  the  righteousness  which  is  of  faith  saith  thus, 
"Say  not  in  thy  heart,  who  shall  ascend  into  heaven?" 
(that  is,  to  bring  Christ  down):  or,  "Who  shall  descend 
into  the  abyss?"  (that  is,  to  bring  Christ  up  from  the 
dead  . 

But  what  saith  it?  "The  word  is  nigh  thee,  in  thy 
mouth,  and  in  thy  heart:"  that  is,  the  word  of  faith, 
which  we  preach:  because  if  thou  shalt  confess  with 
thy  mouth  Jesus  as  Lord,  and  shalt  believe  in  thy  heart 
that  God  raised  him  from  the  dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved: 
for  with  the  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteousness; 
and  with  the  mouth  confession  is  made  unto  salvation. 

For  the  scripture  saith,  "Whosoever  believeth  on 
him  shall  not  be  put  to  shame."  For  there  is  no  dis- 
tinction between  Jew  and  Greek:  for  the  same  Lord  is 
Lord  of  all,  and  is  rich  unto  all  that  call  upon  him: 
for,  "Whosoever  shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord 
shall  be  saved." 


126  the  gospel  everywhere  proclaimed 

The  Gospel  Everywhere  Proclaimed. 

How  then  shall  they  call  on  him  in  whom  they 
have  not  believed?  and  how  shall  they  believe  in  him 
whom  they  have  not  heard?  and  how  shall  they  hear 
without  a  preacher?  and  how  shall  they  preach,  except 
they  be  sent?  even  as  it  is  written,  "How  beautiful 
are  the  feet  of  them  that  bring  glad  tidings  of  good 
things!" 

But  they  did  not  all  hearken  to  the  glad  tidings. 
For  Isaiah  saith,  "Lord,  who  hath  believed  our  re- 
port?" So  belief  cometh  of  hearing,  and  hearing  by 
the  word  of  Christ.  But  I  say,  Did  they  not  hear? 
Yea,  verily, 

"Their  sound  went  out  into  alf  the  earth. 
And  their  words  unto  the  ends  of  the  world." 

The  Predicted  Rejection. 

But  I  say.  Did  Israel  not  know?      First  Moses  saith, 
"I  will  provoke  you  to  jealousy  with  that  which 
is  no  nation, 
With    a    nation    void    of    understanding    will    I 
anger  you." 

And  Isaiah  is  very  bold,  and  saith, 

"I  was  found  of  them  that  sought  me  not; 
I   became   manifest   unto   them   that   asked   not 
of  me." 

But  as  to  Irsael  he  saith,  "All  the  day  long  did  I 
spread  out  my  hands  unto  a  disobedient  and  gainsay- 
ing people." 

Salvation  of  the  Remnant. 

I  say  then.  Did  God  cast  off  his  people?  God  forbid. 
For  I  also  am  an  Israelite,  of  the  seed  of  Abraham,  of 
the  tribe  of  Benjamin.  God  did  not  cast  off  his  people 
which  he  foreknew. 

Or  know  ye  not  what  the  scripture  saith  of  Elijah? 


THE  COMING  OF  THE  GENTILES  127 

how  he  pleadeth  with  God  against  Israel:  "Lord, they 
have  killed  thy  prophets,  they  have  digged  down  thine 
altars;  and  I  am  left  alone,  and  they  seek  my  life." 
But  what  saith  the  answer  of  God  unto  him?  "I  have 
left  for  myself  seven  thousand  men,  who  have  not 
bowed  the  knee  to  Baal." 

Even  so  then  at  this  present  time  also  there  is  a 
remnant  according  to  the  election  of  grace.  But  if 
it  is  by  grace,  it  is  no  more  of  works:  otherwise  grace 
is  no  more  grace. 

What  then?  That  which  Israel  seeketh  for,  that  he 
obtained  not;  but  the  election  obtained  it,  and  the 
rest  were  hardened:  according  as  it  is  written,  "God 
gave  them  a  spirit  of  stupor,  eyes  that  they  should  not 
see,  and  ears  that  they  should  not  hear  unto  this  very 
day."     And  David  saith, 

"Let  their  table  be  made  a  snare,  and  a  trap. 
And  a  stumblingblock,  and  a  recompense  unto 

them: 
Let  their  eyes  be  darkened,  that  they  may  not 

see, 
And  bow  thou  down  their  back  always.". 

The  Coming  of  the  Gentiles. 

I  say  then.  Did  they  stumble  that  they  might  fall? 
God  forbid :  but  by  their  fall  salvation  is  come  unto  the 
Gentiles,  to  provoke  them  to  jealousy.  Now  if  their 
fall  is  the  riches  of  the  world,  and  their  loss  the  riches 
of  the  Gentiles ;  how  much  more  their  fulness  ? 

But  I  speak  to  you  that  are  Gentiles.  Inasmuch 
then  as  I  am  an  apostle  of  Gentiles,  I  glorify  my 
ministry;  if  by  any  means  I  may  provoke  to  jealousy 
them  that  are  my  flesh,  and  may  save  some  of  them. 
For  if  the  casting  away  of  them  is  the  reconciling  of 
the  world,  what  shall  the  receiving  of  them  be,  but 
life  from  the  dead  ? 


128  the  warning  from  israel 

The  Warning  from  Israel. 

And  if  the  firstfruit  is  holy,  so  is  the  lump:  and  if 
the  root  is  holy,  so  are  the  branches. 

But  if  some  of  the  branches  were  broken  off,  and 
thou,  being  a  wild  olive,  wast  grafted  in  among  them, 
and  didst  become  partaker  with  them  of  the  root  of  the 
fatness  of  the  olive  tree;  glory  not  over  the  branches: 
but  if  thou  gloriest,  it  is  not  thou  that  bearest  the  root, 
but  the  root  thee. 

Thou  wilt  say  then,  "Branches  were  broken  off,  that 
I  might  be  grafted  in."  Well;  by  their  unbelief  they 
were  broken  off,  and  thou  standest  by  th)^  faith.  Be 
not  highminded,  but  fear:  for  if  God  spared  not  the 
natural  branches,  neither  will  he  spare  thee. 

Behold  ■  then  the  goodness  and  severity  of  God : 
toward  them  that  fell,  severity;  but  toward  thee,  God's 
goodness,  if  thou  continue  in  his  goodness:  otherwise 
thou  also  shalt  be  cut  off. 

The  Hope  for  Israel. 

And  they  also,  if  they  continue  not  in  their  unbelief, 
shall  be  grafted  in:  for  God  is  able  to  graft  them  in 
again.  For  if  thou  wast  cut  out  of  that  which  is 
by  nature  a  wild  olive  tree,  and  wast  grafted  contrary 
to  nature  into  a  good  olive  tree;  how  much  more  shall 
these,  which  are  the  natural  branches,  be  grafted  into 
their  own  olive  tree? 

For  I  would  not,  brethren,  have  you  ignorant  of 
this  mystery,  lest  ye  be  wise  in  your  own  conceits, 
that  a  hardening  in  part  hath  befallen  Israel,  until  the 
fulness  of  the  Gentiles  be  come  in;  and  so  all  Israel  shall 
be  saved:   even  as  it  is  written, 

"There  shall  come  out  of  Zion  the  Deliverer; 
He  shall  turn  away  ungodliness  from  Jacob: 
And  this  is  my  covenant  unto  them, 
When  I  shall  take  away  their  sins." 


god's  mercy  upon  all  129 

God's  Mercy  Upon  All. 

As  touching  the  gospel,  they  are  enemies  for  your 
sake:  but  as  touching  the  election,  they  are  beloved  for 
the  father's  sake.  For  the  gifts  and  the  calling  of 
God  are  not  repented  of. 

For  as  ye  in  time  past  were  disobedient  to  God,  but 
now  have  obtained  mercy  by  their  disobedience,  even 
so  have  these  also  now  been  disobedient,  that  by  the 
mercy  shown  to  you  they  also  may  now  obtain  mercy. 
For  God  hath  shut  up  all  unto  disobedience,  that  he 
might  have  mercy  upon  all. 

Doxology. 

0  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and 
the  knowledge  of  God!  how  unsearchable  are  his  judg- 
ments, and  his  ways  past  tracing  out!  For  who  hath 
been  his  counsellor?  or  who  hath  first  given  to  him, 
and  it  shall  be  recompensed  unto  him  again?  For  of 
him,  and  through  him  and  unto  him,  are  all  things. 
To  h  m  be  the  glory  for  ever.     Amen. 

The  Christian  Sacrifice. 

1  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercies 
of  God,  to  present  your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy, 
acceptable  to  God,  which  is  your  spiritual  service. 
And  be  not  fashioned  according  to  this  world:  but 
be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of  your  mind,  that 
ye  may  prove  what  is  the  good  and  acceptable  and  per- 
fect will  of  God. 

Members  One  of  Another. 

For  I  say,  through  the  grace  that  was  given  me,  to 
every  man  that  is  among  you,  not  to  think  of  himself 
more  highly  than  he  ought  to  think;  but  so  to  think 
as  to  think  soberly,  according  as  God  hath  dealt  to 


130  SOCIAL  RELATIONS 

each  man  a  measure  of  faith.  For  even  as  we  have 
many  members  in  one  body,  and  all  the  members 
have  not  the  same  office :  so  we,  who  are  many,  are  one 
body  in  Christ,  and  severally  members  one  of  another. 
And  having  gifts  differing  according  to  the  grace  that 
was  given  to  us,  whether  prophecy,  let  us  prophesy 
according  to  the  proportion  of  our  faith;  or  ministry, 
let  us  give  ourselves  to  our  ministry;  or  he  that  teach- 
eth,  to  his  teaching;  or  he  that  exhorteth,  to  his  ex- 
horting: he  that  giveth,  let  him  do  it  with  liberality: 
he  that  ruleth,  with  diligence;  he  that  showeth  mercy, 
with  cheerfulness. 

Social  Relations. 

Let  love  be  without  hypocrisy.  Abhor  that  which  is 
evil;  cleave  to  that  which  is  good.  In  love  of  the 
brethren  be  tenderl}^  affectioned  one  to  another;  in 
honor  preferring  one  another;  in  diligence  not  sloth- 
ful; fervent  in  spirit;  serving  the  Lord;  rejoicing  in 
hope;  patient  in  tribulation;  continuing  stedfastly 
in  prayer;  communicating  to  the  necessities  of  the 
saints,  given  to  hospitality. 

Bless  them  that  persecute  you;  bless,  and  curse 
not.  Rejoice  with  them  that  rejoice;  weep  with  them 
that  weep. 

Be  of  the  same  mind  one  toward  another.  Set  not 
your  mind  on  high  things,  but  condescend  to  things 
that  are  lowly.  Be  not  wise  in  your  own  conceits. 
Render  to  no  man  evil  for  evil.  Take  thought  for 
things  honorable  in  the  sight  of  all  men.  If  it  be  pos- 
sible, as  much  as  in  you  lieth,  be  at  peace  with  a  1  men. 

The  Christian's  Vengeance. 

Avenge  not  yourselves,  beloved,  but  give  place  unto 
the  wrath  of  God:  for  it  is  written,  "Vengeance  belong- 


CHURCH  AND  STATE  131 

eth  unto  me;  I  will  recompense,  saith  the  Lord." 
But  if  thine  enemy  hunger,  feed  him;  if  he  thirst,  give 
him  to  drink :  for  in  so  doing  thou  shalt  heap  coals  of 
fire  upon  his  head. 

Be  not  overcome  of  evil  but  overcome  evil  with 
good. 

Church  and  State. 

Let  every  soul  be  in  subjection  to  the  higher  powers: 
for  there  is  no  power  but  of  God;  and  the  powers  that 
be  are  ordained  of  God.  Therefore  he  that  resisteth 
the  power,  withstandeth  the  ordinance  of  God:  and 
they  that  withstand  shall  receive  to  theinselves  judg- 
ment. 

For  rulers  are  not  a  terror  to  the  good  work,  but  to 
the  evil.  And  wouldest  thou  have  no  fear  of  the 
power?  do  that  which  is  good,  and  thou  shalt  have 
praise  from  the  same :  for  he  is  a  minister  of  God  to  thee 
for  good.  But  if  thou  do  that  which  is  evil,  be  afraid; 
for  he  beareth  not  the  sword  in  vain:  for  he  is  a  min- 
ister of  God,  an  avenger  for  wrath  to  him  that  doeth 
evil. 

Wherefore  ye  must  needs  be  in  subjection,  not  only 
because  of  the  wrath,  but  also  for  conscience'  sake. 
For  for  this  cause  ye  pay  tribute  also ;  for  they  are  min- 
isters of  God's  service,  attending  continually  upon  this 
very  thing.  Render  to  all  their  dues:  tribute  to  whom 
tribute  is  due;  custom  to  whom  custom;  fear  to  whom 
fear;  honor  to  whom  honor. 

The  Law  of  Love. 

Owe  no  man  anything,  save  to  love  one  another: 
for  he  that  loveth  his  neighbor  hath  fulfilled  the  law. 
For  this,  "Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery.  Thou  shalt 
not  kill.  Thou  shalt  not  steal.  Thou  shalt  not  covet," 
and  if  there  be  any  other  commandment,  it  is  summed 


132  LIVING  IN  THE   LIGHT 

Up  in  this  word,  namely,  "Thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh- 
bor as  thyself."  Love  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighbor: 
love  therefore  is  the  fulfilment  of  the  law. 

Living  in  the  Light. 

And  this,  knowing  the  season,  that  already  it  is 
time  for  you  to  awake  out  of  sleep:  for  now  is  salvation 
nearer  to  us  than  when  we  first  believed. 

The  night  is  far  spent,  and  the  day  is  at  hand:  let 
us  therefore  cast  off  the  works  of  darkness,  and  let  us 
put  on  the  armor  of  light.  Let  us  walk  becomingly, 
as  in  the  day;  not  in  revelling  and  drunkenness,  not  in 
chambering  and  wantonness,  not  in  strife  and  jealousy. 
But  put  ye  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  make  not 
provision  for  the  flesh,  to  fulfil  the  lusts  thereof. 

Religious  Tolerance. 

But  him  that  is  weak  in  faith  receive  ye,  not  yet  for 
decision  of  scruples.  One  man  hath  faith  to  eat  all 
things :  but  he  that  is  weak  eateth  herbs.  Let  not  him 
that  eateth  set  at  nought  him  that  eateth  not;  and  let 
not  him  that  eateth  not  judge  him  that  eateth:  for  God 
hath  received  him.  Who  art  thou  that  judgest  th? 
servant  of  another?  to  his  own  Lord  he  standeth  or 
falleth.  Yea,  he  shall  be  made  to  stand;  for  the  Lord 
hath  power  to  make  him  stand. 

One  man  esteemeth  one  day  above  another:  another 
esteemeth  every  day  alike.  Let  each  man  be  fully 
assured  in  his  own  mind.  He  that  regardeth  the  day, 
regardeth  it  unto  the  Lord:  and  he  that  eateth,  eateth 
unto  the  Lord,  for  he  giveth  God  thanks;  and  he  that 
eateth  not,  unto  the  Lord  he  eateth  not,  and  giveth 
God  thanks. 

For  none  of  us  liveth  to  himself,  and  none  dieth  to 
himself.     For  whether  we  live,  we  live  unto  the  Lord; 


THE   HIGH  GROUND  OF   ABSTINENCE  133 

or  whether  we  die,  we  die  unto  the  Lord:  whether  we 
live  therefore,  or  die,  we  are  the  Lord's.  For  to  this  end 
Christ  died  and  lived  again,  that  he  might  be  Lord  of 
both  the  dead  and  the  Hving. 

But  thou,  why  dost  thou  judge  thy  brother?  or  thou 
again,  why  dost  thou  set  at  nought  thy  brother?  for 
we  shall  all  stand  before  the  judgment-seat  of  God. 
For  it  is  written, 

"As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord,  to  me  every  knee  shall 
bow. 
And  every  tongue  shall  confess  to  God." 

The  High  Ground  of  Abstinence. 

Let  us  not  therefore  judge  one  another  any  more: 
but  judge  ye  this  rather,  that  no  man  put  a  stumbling 
block  in  his  brother's  way,  or  an  occasion  of  falling. 
I  know,  and  am  persuaded  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  that 
nothing  is  unclean  of  itself:  save  that  to  him  who 
accounteth  anything  to  be  unclean,  to  him  it  is  unclean. 
For  if  because  of  meat  thy  brother  is  grieved,  thou 
walkest  no  longer  in  love.  Destroy  not  with  thy 
meat  him  for  whom  Christ  died. 

Let  not  then  your  good  be  evil  spoken  of:  for  the 
kingdom  of  God  is  not  eating  and  drinking,  but  right- 
eousness and  peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Spirit.  For  he 
that  herein  serveth  Christ  is  well-pleasing  to  God,  and 
approved  of  men. 

So  then  let  us  follow  after  things  which  make  for 
peace,  and  things  whereby  we  may  edify  one  another. 
Overthrow  not  for  meat's  sake  the  work  of  God.  All 
things  indeed  are  clean ;  howbeit  it  is  evil  for  that  man 
who  eateth  with  ofTense.  It  is  good  not  to  eat  flesh, 
nor  to  drink  wine,  nor  to  do  anything  whereby  thy 
brother  stumbleth. 

The  faith  which  thou  hast,  have  thou  to  thyself 
before  God.      Happy  is  he  that  judgeth  not  himself  in 


134  THE  HIGH  GROUND  OF  ABSTINENCE 

that  which  he  approveth.  But  he  that  doubteth  is 
condemned  if  he  eat,  because  he  eateth  not  of  faith; 
and  whatsoever  is  not  of  faith  is  sin. 

Now  we  that  are  strong  ought  to  bear  the  infirmities 
of  the  weak,  and  not  to  please  ourselves.  Let  each  one 
of  us  please  his  neighbor  for  that  which  is  good,  unto 
edifying. 

For  Christ  also  pleased  not  himself;  but,  as  it  is 
written,  "The  reproaches  of  them  that  reproached  thee 
fell  upon  me."  For  whatsoever  things  were  written 
aforetime  were  written  for  our  learning,  that  through 
patience  and  through  comfort  of  the  scriptures  we 
might  have  hope. 

Now  the  God  of  patience  and  of  comfort  grant  you 
to  be  of  the  same  mind  one  with  another  according 
to  Christ  Jesus:  that  with  one  accord  ye  may  with  one 
mouth  glorify  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Wherefore  receive  ye  one  another,  even  as 
Christ  also  received  you,  to  the  glory  of  God. 

For  I  say  that  Christ  hath  been  made  a  minister 
of  the  circumcision  for  the  truth  of  God,  that  he  might 
confirm  the  promises  given  unto  the  fathers,  and  that 
the  Gentiles  might  glorify  God  for  his  mercy;  as  it  is 
written, 

"Therefore  will  I  give  praise  unto  thee  among  the 
Gentiles, 
And  sing  unto  thy  name." 

And  again  he  saith. 

"Rejoice,  ye  Gentiles,  with  his  people." 

And  again, 

"Praise  the  Lord,  all  ye  Gentiles; 
And  let  all  the  peoples  praise  him." 

And  again,  Isaiah  saith, 

"There  shall  be  the  root  of  Jesse, 
And  he  that  ariseth  to  rule  over  the  Gentiles; 
On  him  shall  the  Gentiles  hope." 


CONFIDENCE  IN  THE   ROMAN   CHURCH  135 

Now  the  God  of  hope  fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace 
in  believing,  that  ye  may  abound  in  hope,  in  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Confidence  in  the  Roman  Church. 

And  I  myself  also  am  persuaded  of  you,  my  brethren, 
that  ye  yourselves  are  full  of  goodness,  filled  with  all 
knowledge,  able  also  to  admonish  one  another. 

But  I  write  the  more  boldly  unto  you  in  some  measure, 
as  putting  you  again  in  remembrance,  because  of  the 
grace  that  was  given  me  of  God,  that  I  should  be  a 
minister  of  Christ  Jesus  unto  the  Gentiles,  ministering 
the  gospel  of  God,  that  the  offering  up  of  the  Gentiles 
might  be  made  acceptable,  being  sanctified  by  the 
Holy  Spirit. 

The  Ministry  of  Paul. 

I  have  therefore  my  glorying  in  Christ  Jesus  in 
things  pertaining  to  God.  For  I  will  not  dare  to  speak 
of  any  things  save  those  which  Christ  wrought  through 
me,  for  the  obedience  of  the  Gentiles,  by  word  and 
deed,  in  the  power  of  signs  and  wonders,  in  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit;  so  that  from  Jerusalem,  and  round 
about  even  unto  Illyricum,  I  have  fully  preached  the 
gospel  of  Christ;  yea,  making  it  my  aim  so  to  preach 
the  gospel,  not  where  Christ  was  already  named,  that 
I  might  not  build  upon  another  man's  foundation;  but, 
as  it  is  written, 

"They  shall  see,  to  whom  no  tidings  of  him  came. 
And  they  who  have  not  heard  shall  understand." 

Plans  for  the  Future. 

Wherefore  also  I  was  hindered  these  many  times 
from  coming  to  you:  but  now,  having  no  more  any 
place  in  these  regions,  and  having  these  many  years 
a  longing  to  come  unto  you,  whensoever  I  go   unto 


136  THE   COLLECTION   FOR  JERUSALEM 

Spain  (for  I  hope  to  see  you  in  my  journey,  and  to  be 
brought  on  my  way  thitherward  by  you,  if  first  in 
some  measure  I  shall  have  been  satisfied  with  your 
company) — but  now,  I  say,  I  go  unto  Jerusalem, 
ministering  unto  the  saints. 

The  Collection  for  Jerusalem. 

For  it  hath  been  the  good  pleasure  of  Macedonia  and 
Achaia  to  make  a  certain  contribution  for  the  poor 
among  the  saints  that  are  at  Jerusalem.  Yea,  it 
hath  been  their  good  pleasure;  and  their  debtors  they 
are.  For  if  the  Gentiles  have  been  made  partakers 
of  their  spiritual  things,  they  owe  it  to  them  also  to 
minister  unto  them  in  carnal  things. 

When  therefore  I  have  accomplished  this,  and  have 
sealed  to  them  this  fruit,  I  will  go  on  by  you  unto 
Spain.  And  I  know  that,  when  I  come  unto  you, 
I  shall  come  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of  Christ. 

A  Request  for  Prayer. 

Now  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  by  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  by  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  that  ye  strive 
together  with  me  in  your  prayers  to  God  for  me ;  that 
I  may  be  delivered  from  them  that  are  disobedient  in 
Judasa,  and  that  my  ministration  which  I  have  for 
Jerusalem  may  be  acceptable  to  the  saints;  that  I  may 
come  unto  you  in  joy  through  the  will  of  God,  and 
together  with  you  find  rest.  Now  the  God  of  peace  be 
with  you  all.     Amen. 

The  Commendation  of  Phoebe. 

I  commend  unto  you  Phoebe  our  sister,  who  is  a 
servant  of  the  church  that  is  at  Cenchreae :  that  ye  re- 
ceive her  in  the  Lord,  worthily  of  the  saints,  and  that 
ye  assist  her  in  whatsoever  matter  she  may  have  need 


SALUTATIONS  TO   FRIENDS  137 

of  you :  for  she  herself  also  hath  been  a  helper  of  many, 
and  of  mine  own  self. 

Salutations  to  Friends. 

Salute  Prisca  and  Aquila  my  fellow-workers  in 
Christ  Jesus,  who  for  my  life  laid  down  their  own  necks ; 
unto  whom  not  only  I  give  thanks,  but  also  all  the 
churches  of  the  Gentiles:  and  salute  the  church  that  is 
in  their  house.  Sakite  Epaenetus  my  beloved,  who  is 
the  first-fruits  of  Asia  unto  Christ.  Salute  Mary,  who 
bestowed  much  labor  on  you.  Salute  Andronicus  and 
Junias,  my  kinsmen,  and  my  fellow-prisoners,  who  are 
of  note  among  the  apostles,  who  also  have  been  in  Christ 
before  me.  Salute  Ampliatus  my  beloved  in  the  Lord. 
Salute  Urbanus  our  fellow-worker  in  Christ,  and  Stachys 
my  beloved.  Salute  Apelles  the  approved  in  Christ. 
Salute  them  that  are  of  the  household  of  Aristobulus. 
Salute  Herodion  my  kinsman.  Salute  them  of  the 
household  of  Narcissus,  that  are  in  the  Lord.  Salute 

Tryphcena  and  Tryphosa,  who  labor  in  the  Lord,  Salute 
Persis  the  beloved,  who  labored  much  in  the  Lord. 
Salute  Rufus  the  chosen  in  the  Lord,  and  his  mother 
and  mine.  Salute  Asyncritus,  Phlegon,  Hermes, 
Patrobas,  Hermas,  and  the  brethren  that  are  with 
them.  Salute  Philologus  and  Julia,  Nereus  and  his 
sister,  and  Olympas,  and  all  the  saints  that  are  with 
them.  Salute  one  another  with  a  holy  kiss.  All  the 
churches  of  Christ  salute  you. 

Final  Warnings. 

Now  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  mark  thenx  that  are 
causing  the  divisions  and  occasions  of  stumbling, 
contrary  to  the  doctrine  which  ye  learned:  and  turn 
away  from  them.  F'or  they  that  are  such  serve  not  our 
Lord  Christ,  but  their  own  belly;  and  by  their  smooth 


138  SALUTATIONS  FROM  FRIENDS 

and  fair  speech  they  beguile  the  hearts  of  the  innocent. 

For  your  obedience  is  come  abroad  unto  all  men.  I 
rejoice  therefore  over  you :  but  I  would  have  you  wise 
unto  that  which  is  good,  and  simple  unto  that  which  is 
evil.  And  the  God  of  peace  shall  bruise  Satan  under 
your  feet  shortly. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you. 

Salutations  from  Friends. 

Timothy  my  fellow-worker  salutethyou;  and  Lucius 
and  Jason  and  Sosipater,  my  kinsmen.  I  Tertius,  who 
write  the  epistle,  salute  you  in  the  Lord.  Gains  my 
host,  and  of  the  whole  church,  saluteth  you.  Erastus, 
the  treasurer  of  the  city  saluteth  you,  and  Quartus  the 
brother. 

DOXOLOGY 

Now  to  him  that  is  able  to  establish  you  according 
to  my  gospel  and  the  preaching  of  Jesus  Christ,  accord- 
ing to  the  revelation  of  the  mystery  which  hath  been 
kept  in  silence  through  times  eternal,  but  now  is  mani- 
fested, and  by  the  scriptures  of  the  prophets,  according 
to  the  commandment  of  the  eternal  God,  is  made  known 
unto  all  the  nations  unto  obedience  of  faith :  to  the  only 
wise  God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  be  the  glory 
for  ever.     Amen. 


Dangers  in  Corinth. 

And  when  Paul  had  spent  three  months  in  Corinth, 
and  a  plot  was  laid  against  him  by  the  Jews  as  he  was 
about  to  set  sail  for  Syria,  he  determined  to  return 
through   Macedonia. 


REUNION  WITH   LUKE  139 

And  there  accompanied  him  as  far  as  Asia,  Sopater 
of  Beroea.the  son  of  Pyrrhus;  and  of  the  Thessalonians, 
Aristarchus  and  Secundus;  and  Gaius  of  Derbe,  and 
Timothy;  and  of  Asia,  Tychicus  and  Trophimus. 

Reunion  with  Luke. 

But  these  had  gone  before,  and  were  waiting  for  us 
at  Troas.  And  we  sailed  away  from  PhiUppi  after  the 
days  of  unleavened  bread,  and  came  unto  them  to 
Troas  in  five  days;  where  we  tarried  seven  days 

Paul's  Long  Sermon. 

And  upon  the  first  day  of  the  week,  when  we  were 
gathered  together  to  break  bread,  Paul  discoursed  with 
them,  intending  to  depart  on  the  morrow;  and  pro- 
longed his  speech  until  midnight.  And  there  were 
many  lights  in  the  upper  chamber  where  we  were 
gathered  together. 

And  there  sat  in  the  window  a  certain  young  man 
named  Eutychus,  borne  down  with  deep  sleep;  and 
as  Paul  discoursed  yet  longer,  being  borne  down  by  his 
sleep  he  fell  down  from  the  third  story,  and  was  taken 
up  dead. 

And  Paul  went  down,  and  fell  on  him,  and  embracing 
him  said,  ' '  Make  ye  no  ado ;  for  his  life  is  in  him . ' ' 

And  when  he  was  gone  up,  and  had  broken  the  bread, 
and  eaten,  and  had  talked  with  them  a  long  while, 
even  till  break  of  day,  so  he  departed.  And  they 
brought  the  lad  alive,  and  were  not  a  little  comforted. 

The  Voyage  to  Miletus. 

But  we,  going  before  to  the  ship,  set  sail  for  Assos, 
there  intending  to  take  in  Paul :  for  so  had  he  appointed, 
intending  himself  to  go  by  land.  And  when  he  met  us 
at  Assos,  we  took  him  in,  and  came  to  Mitylene.     And 


140    Paul's  farewell  to  the  ephesian  elders 

sailing  from  thence,  we  came  the  following  day  over 
against  Chios;  and  the  next  day  we  touched  Samos; 
and  the  day  after  we  came  to  Miletus.  For  Paul 
had  determined  to  sail  past  Ephesus,  that  he  might 
not  have  to  spend  time  in  Asia;  for  he  was  hasten- 
ing, if  it  were  possible  for  him,  to  be  at  Jerusalem  the 
day  of  Pentecost. 

Paul's  Farewell  to  the  Ephesian  Elders. 

And  from  Miletus  he  sent  to  Ephesus,  and  called  to 
him  the  elders  of  the  church.  And  when  they  were 
come  to  him,  he  said  unto  them, 

"Ye  yourselves  know,  from  the  first  day  that  I  set 
foot  in  Asia,  after  what  manner  I  was  with  you  all  the 
time,  serving  the  Lord  with  all  lowliness  of  mind,  and 
with  tears,  and  with  trials  which  befell  me  by  the  plots 
of  the  Jews;  how  I  shrank  not  from  declaring  unto  you 
anything  that  was  profitable,  and  teaching  you  publicly, 
and  from  house  to  house,  testifying  both  to  Jews  and 
to  Greeks  repentance  toward  God  and  faith  toward 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"And  now,  behold,  I  go  bound  in  the  spirit  unto 
Jerusalem,  not  knowing  the  things  that  shall  befall  me 
there:  save  that  the  Holy  Spirit  testiiieth  unto  me  in 
every  city,  saying  that  bonds  and  afflictions  abide  me. 

"But  I  hold  not  my  life  of  any  account  as  dear  unto 
myself,  so  that  I  may  accomplish  my  course,  and  the 
ministry  which  I  received  from  the  Lord  Jesus  to  tes- 
tify the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God. 

"And  now,  behold,  I  know  ye  all,  among  whom  I 
went  about  preaching  the  kingdom,  shall  see  my  face 
no  more.  Wherefore  I  testify  unto  you  this  day,  that 
I  am  pure  from  the  blood  of  all  men.  For  I  shrank  not 
from  declaring  unto  you  the  whole  counsel  of  God. 

"Take  heed  vmto  yourselves,  and  to  all  the  flock,  in 
which  the  Holy  Spirit  hath  made  you  bishops,  to  feed 


THE  VOYAGE  TO  C.'ESAREA  141 

the  church  of  the  Lord  which  he  purchased  with  his 
own  blood.  I  know  that  after  my  departing  grievous 
wolves  shall  enter  in  among  you,  not  sparing  the  flock; 
and  from  among  your  own  selves  shall  men  arise, 
speaking  perverse  things,  to  draw  away  the  disciples 
after  them.  Wherefore  watch  ye,  remembering  that  by 
the  space  of  three  years  I  ceased  not  to  admonish  every 
one  night  and  day  with  tears. 

"And  now  I  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the  word 
of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give 
you  the  inheritance  among  all  them  that  are  sanctified. 

"I  coveted  no  man's  silver,  or  gold,  or  apparel.  Ye 
yourselves  know  that  these  hands  ministered  unto  my 
necessities,  and  to  them  that  were  with  me.  In  all 
things  I  gave  you  an  example,  that  so  laboring  ye  ought 
to  help  the  weak,  and  to  remember  the  words  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  that  he  himself  said,  'It  is  more  blessed 
to  give  than  to  receive.'  " 

And  when  he  had  thus  spoken,  he  kneeled  down  and 
prayed  with  them  all.  And  they  all  wept  sore,  and 
fell  on  Paul's  neck  and  kissed  him,  sorrowing  most  of 
all  for  the  word  which  he  had  spoken,  that  they  should 
behold  his  face  no  more.  And  they  brought  him  on 
his  way  unto  the  ship. 

The  Voyage  to  C^sarea. 

And  when  it  came  to  pass  that  we  were  parted  from 
them  and  had  set  sail,  we  came  with  a  straight  course 
unto  Cos,  and  the  next  day  unto  Rhodes,  and  from 
thence  unto  Patara:  and  having  found  a  ship  crossing 
over  vmto  Phoenicia,  we  went  aboard,  and  set  sail. 

And  when  we  had  come  in  sight  of  Cyprus,  leaving 
it  on  the  left  hand,  we  sailed  unto  Syria,  and  landed  at 
Tyre ;  for  there  the  ship  was  to  unlade  her  burden.  And 
having  found  the  disciples,  we  tarried  there  seven  days: 


142  FAITHFUL  UNTO  DEATH 

and  these  said  to  Paul  through  the  Spirit,  that  he 
should  not  set  foot  in  Jerusalem. 

And  when  it  came  to  pass  that  we  had  accomplished 
the  days,  we  departed  and  went  on  our  journey;  and 
they  all,  with  wives  and  children,  brought  us  on  our 
way  till  we  were  out  of  the  city :  and  kneeling  down  on 
the  beach,  we  prayed,  and  bade  each  other  farewell; 
and  we  went  on  board  the  ship,  but  they  returned  home 
again. 

And  when  we  had  finished  the  voyage  from  Tyre,  we 
arrived  at  Ptolemais;  and  we  saluted  the  brethren, 
and  abode  with  them  one  day. 

Faithful  Unto  Death. 

And  on  the  morrow  we  departed,  and  came  unto 
Cassarea:  and  entering  into  the  house  of  Philip  the 
evangelist,  who  was  one  of  the  seven,  we  abode  with 
him.  Now  this  man  had  four  virgin  daughters,  who 
prophesied. 

And  as  we  tarried  there  some  days,  there  came  down 
from  Judaea  a  certain  prophet,'  named  Agabus.  And 
coming  to  us,  and  taking  Paul's  girdle,  he  bound  his 
own  feet  and  hands,  and  said,  "Thus  saith  the  Holy 
Spirit,  So  shall  the  Jews  at  Jerusalem  bind  the  man  that 
owneth  this  girdle,  and  shall  deliver  him  into  the  hands 
of  the  Gentiles." 

And  when  we  heard  these  things,  both  we  and  they 
of  that  place  besought  him  not  to  go  up  to  Jerusalem. 

Then  Paul  answered,  "What  do  ye,  weeping  and 
breaking  my  heart?  for  I  am  ready  not  to  be  bound 
only,  but  also  to  die  at  Jerusalem  for  the  name  of  the 
Lord    Jesus." 

And  when  he  would  not  be  persuaded,  we  ceased, 
saying,  "The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done." 


reception  in  jerusalem  143 

Reception  in  Jerusalem. 

And  after  these  days  we  took  up  our  baggage  and 
went  up  to  Jerusalem.  And  there  went  with  us  also 
certain  of  the  disciples  from  Caesarea,  bringing  with 
them  one  Mnason  of  Cyprus,  an  early  disciple,  with 
whom  we  should  lodge. 

And  when  we  were  come  to  Jerusalem,  the  brethren 
received  us  gladly.  And  the  day  following  Paul  went 
in  with  us  unto  James;  and  all  the  elders  were  present. 
And  when  he  had  saluted  them,  he  rehearsed  one  by 
one  the  things  which  God  had  wrought  among  the 
Gentiles  through  his  ministry. 

And  they,  when  they  heard  it,  glorified  God;  and 
they  said  unto  him,  "Thou  seest,  brother,  how  many 
thousands  there  are  among  the  Jews  of  them  that  have 
believed ;  and  they  are  all  zealous  for  the  law :  and  they 
have  been  informed  conce^rning  thee,  that  thou  teachest 
all  the  Jews  who  are  among  the  Gentiles  to  forsake 
Moses,  telling  them  not  to.  circumcise  their  children, 
neither  to  walk  after  the  customs.  What  is  it  there- 
fore? they  will  certainly  hear  that  thou  art  come. 

"Do  therefore  this  that  we  say  to  thee:  We  have 
four  men  that  have  a  vow  on  them;  these  take,  and 
purify  thyself  with  them,  and  be  at  charges  for  them, 
that  they  may  shave  their  heads:  and  all  shall  know 
that  there  is  no  truth  in  the  things  whereof  they  have 
been  informed  concerning  thee;  but  that  thou  thyself 
also  walkest  orderly,  keeping  the  law. 

"But  as  touching  the  Gentiles  that  have  believed, 
we  wrote,  giving  judgment  that  they  should  keep  them- 
selves from  things  sacrificed  to  idols, and  from  blood,  and 
from  what  is  strangled,  and  from  fornication." 

Then  Paul  took  the  men,  and  the  next  day  purifying 
himself  with  them  went  into  the  temple,  declaring  the 
fulfilment  of  the  days  of  purification,  until  the  offering 
was  offered  for  everv  one  of  them. 


144  the  assault  in  the  temple 

The  Assault  in  the  Temple. 

And  v/hen  the  seven  days  were  almost  completed, 
the  Jews  from  Asia,  when  they  saw  him  in  the  temple, 
stirred  up  all  the  multitude  and  laid  hands  on  him, 
crying  out,  "Men  of  Israel,  help:  This  is  the  man  that 
teacheth  all  men  everywhere  against  the  people,  and 
the  law,  and  this  place;  and  moreover  he  brought 
Greeks  also  into  the  temple,  and  hath  defiled  this  holy 
place."  For  they  had  before  seen  with  him  in  the  city 
Trophimus  the  Ephesian,  whom  they  supposed  that 
Paul  had  brought  into  the  temple. 

And  all  the  city  was  moved,  and  the  people  ran  to- 
gether; and  they  laid  hold  on  Paul,  and  dragged  him 
out  of  the  temple:  and  straightway  the  doors  were  shut. 

Arrested  by  the  Roman  Tribune. 

And  as  they  were  seeking  to  kill  him,  tidings  came 
up  to  the  chief  captain  of  the  band,  that  all  Jerusalem 
was  in  confusion.  And  forthwith  he  took  soldiers  and 
centurions,  and  ran  down  upon  them:  and  they,  when 
they  saw  the  chief  captain  and  the  soldiers,  left  off 
beating  Paul. 

Then  the  chief  captain  came  near,  and  laid  hold  on 
him,  and  commanded  him  to  be  bound  with  two  chains; 
and  inquired  who  he  was,  and  what  he  had  done.  And 
some  shouted  one  thing,  some  another,  among  the 
crowd:  and  when  he  could  not  know  the  certainty  for 
the  uproar,  he  commanded  him  to  be  brought  into  the 
castle.  And  when  he  came  upon  the  stairs,  so  it  was 
that  he  was  borne  of  the  soldiers  for  the  violence  of 
the  crowd ;  for  the  multitude  of  the  people  followed 
after,  crying  out,  "Away  with  him." 

And  as  Paul  was  about  to  be  brought  into  the  castle, 
he  saith  unto  the  chief  captain,  "May  I  say  something 
unto   thee?"     And   he  said,  "Dost  thou  know  Greek? 


THE  SPEECH  IN  HEBREW  145 

Art  thou  not  then  the  Egyptian,  who  before  these  days 
stirred  up  to  sedition  and  led  out  into  the  wilderness  the 
four  thousand  men  of  the  Assassins?" 

But  Paul  said,  "I  am  a  Jew,  of  Tarsus  in  Cilicia,  a 
citizen  of  no  mean  city:  and  I  beseech  thee,  give  me 
leave  to  speak  unto  the  people." 

The  Speech  in  Hebrew. 

And  when  he  had  given  him  leave,  Paul,  standing 
on  the  stairs,  beckoned  with  the  hand  unto  the  people ; 
and  when  there  was  made  a  great  silence,  he  spake  unto 
them  in  the  Hebrew  language,  saying, 

"Brethren  and  fathers,  hear  ye  the  defense  which  I 
now  make  unto  you." 

And  when  they  heard  that  he  spake  unto  them  in  the 
Hebrew  language,  they  were  the  more  quiet:  and  he 
saith, 

"I  am  a  Jew,  born  in  Tarsus  of  Cilicia,  but  brought 
up  in  this  city,  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel,  instructed 
according  to  the  strict  manner  of  the  law  of  our  fathers, 
being  zealous  for  God,  even  as  ye  all  are  this  day:  and 
I  persecuted  this  Way  unto  the  death,  binding  and 
delivering  into  prisons  both  men  and  women. 

"As  also  the  high  priest  doth  bear  me  witness,  and 
all  the  estate  of  the  elders:  from  whom  also  I  received 
letters  unto  the  brethren,  and  journeyed  to  Damascus 
to  bring  them  also  that  were  there  unto  Jerusalem  in 
bonds  to  be  punished. 

"And  it  came  to  pass,  that,  as  I  made  my  journey, 
and  drew  nigh  unto  Damascus,  about  noon,  suddenly 
there  shone  from  heaven  a  great  light  round  about  me. 

"And  I  fell  unto  the  ground,  and  heard  a  voice  say- 
ing unto  me,  'Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me?' 
And  I  answered,  'Who  art  thou.  Lord?'  And  he  said 
unto  me,  *I  am  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  whom  thou  per- 
secutest.' 


146  THE  SPEECH   IN   HEBREW 

"And  they  that  were  with  me  beheld  indeed  the 
light,  but  they  heard  not  the  voice  of  him  that  spake 
to  me.  And  I  said,  'What  shall  I  do.  Lord?'  And 
the  Lord  said  unto  me,  'Arise,  and  go  into  Damascus; 
and  there  it  shall  be  told  thee  of  all  things  which  are 
appointed  for  thee  to  do.' 

"And  when  I  could  not  see  for  the  glory  of  that  light, 
being  led  by  the  hand  of  them  that  were  with  me,  I 
came  into  Damascus. 

"And  one  Ananias,  a  devout  man  according  to  the 
law,  well  reported  of  b}/  all  the  Jews  that  dwelt  there, 
came  unto  me,  and  standing  by  me  said  unto  me, 
'Brother  Saul,  receive  thy  sight.'  And  in  that  very 
hour  I  looked  up  on  him. 

* '  And  he  said,  '  the  God  of  our  fathers  hath  appointed 
thee  to  know  his  wi'll,  and  to  see  the  Righteous  One,  and 
to  hear  a  voice  from  his  mouth.  For  thou  shalt  be  a 
witness  for  him  unto  all  men  of  what  thou  hast  seen 
and  heard.  And  now  why  tarriest  thou?  arise,  and  be 
baptized  and  wash  away  thy  sins,  calling  on  his  name.' 

"And  it  came  to  pass,  that,  when  I  had  returned  to 
Jerusalem,  and  while  I  prayed  in  the  temple,  I  fell  into 
a  trance,  and  saw  him  saying  unto  me,  'Make  haste, 
and  get  thee  quickly  out  of  Jerusalem;  because  they 
will  not  receive  of  thee  testimony  concerning  me.' 

"And  I  said.  'Lord,  they  themselves  know  that  I 
imprisoned  and  beat  in  every  synagogue  them  that 
believed  on  thee:  and  when  the  blood  of  Stephen  thy 
witness  was  shed,  I  also  was  standing  by,  and  consent- 
ing, and  keeping  the  garments  of  them  that  slew  him.' 

"And  he  said  unto  me,  'Depart:  for  I  will  send  thee 
forth  far  hence  unto  the  Gentiles.'  " 

The  Jewish  Clamor. 

And  they  gave  him  audience  unto  this  word;  and 
they  lifted  up  their  voice,  and  said,  "Away  with  such  a 


ROMAN   CITIZENSHIP  147 

fellow  from  the  earth:  for  it  is  not  fit  that  he  should 
live."  And  as  they  cried  out,  and  threw  off  their  gar- 
ments, and  cast  dust  into  the  air,  the  chief  captain 
commanded  him  to  be  brought  into  the  castle,  bidding 
that  he  should  be  examined  by  scourging,  that  he  might 
know  for  what  cause  they  so  shouted  against  him. 

Roman  Citizenship. 

And  when  they  had  tied  him  up  with  the  thongs, 
Paul  said  unto  the  centurion  that  stood  by,  "Is  it  law- 
ful for  you  to  scourge  a  man  that  is  a  Roman,  and  un- 
condemned?" 

And  when  the  centurion  heard  it,  he  went  to  the 
chief  captain  and  told  him,  saying,  "What  art  thou 
about  to  do?  for  this  man  is  a  Roman." 

And  the  chief  captain  came  and  said  unto  him,. "Tell 
me,  art  thou  a  Roman?"  And  he  said,  "Yea."  And 
the  chief  captain  answered,  "With  a  great  sum  ob- 
tained I  this  citizenship."  And  Paul  said,  "But  I 
am  a  Roman  born." 

They  then  that  were  about  to  examine  him  straight- 
way departed  from  him :  and  the  chief  captain  also  was 
afraid  when  he  knew  that  he  was  a  Roman,  and  because 
he  had  bound  him. 

Before  the  Council. 

But  on  the  morrow,  desiring  to  know  the  certainty 
wherefore  he  was  accused  of  the  Jews,  he  loosed  him, 
and  commanded  the  chief  priests  and  all  the  council 
to  come  together,  and  brought  Paul  down  and  set  him 
before  them. 

And  Paul  looking  stedfastly  on  the  council,  said, 
"Brethren,  I  have  lived  before  God  in  all  good  conscience 
until  this  day."  And  the  high  priest  Ananias  com- 
manded them  that  stood  by  him  to  smite  him  on  the 
mouth. 


148  DISSENSION  IN  THE  COUNCIL 

Then  said  Paul  unto  bim,  "God  shall  smite  thee, 
thou  whited  wall:  and  sittest  thou  to  judge  me  accord- 
ing to  the  law,  and  commandest  me  to  be  smitten  con- 
trary to  the  law?" 

And  they  that  stood  by  said,  "Revilest  thou  God's 
high  priest?" 

And  Paul  said,  "I  knew  not,  brethren,  that  he  was 
high  priest:  for  it  is  written,  'Thou  shalt  not  speak  evil 
of  a  ruler  of  thy  people.'  " 

But  when  Paul  perceived  that  the  one  part  were 
Sadducees  and  the  other  Pharisees,  he  cried  out  in  the 
council,  "Brethren,  I  am  a  Pharisee,  a  son  of  Pharisees: 
touching  the  hope  and  resurrection  of  the  dead  I  am 
called  in  question." 

Dissension  in  the  Council. 

And  when  he  had  so  said,  there  arose  a  dissension  be- 
tween the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees;  and  the  assembly 
was  divided.  For  the  Sadducees  say  that  there  is  no 
resurrection,  neither  angel,  nor  spirit;  but  thePharisees 
confess  both.  And  there  arose  a  great  clamor:  and 
some  of  the  scribes  of  the  Pharisees'  part  stood  up,  and 
strove,  saying,  "We  find  no  evil  in  this  man:  and  what 
if  a  spirit  hath  spoken  to  him,  or  an  angel?" 

And  when  there  arose  a  great  dissension,  the  chief 
captain,  fearing  lest  Paul  should  be  torn  in  pieces  by 
them,  commanded  the  soldiers  to  go  down  and  take 
him  by  force  from  among  them,  and  bring  him  into  the 
castle. 

Divine  Comfort. 

And  the  night  following  the  Lord  stood  by  him,  and 
said,  "Be  of  good  cheer:  for  as  thou  hast  testified  con- 
cerning me  at  Jerusalem,  so  must  thou  bear  witness 
also  at  Rome." 


the  plot  of  assassination  149 

The  Plot  of  Assassination. 

And  when  it  was  day,  the  Jews  banded  together,  and 
bound  themselves  under  a  curse,  saying  that  they 
would  neither  eat  nor  drink  till  they  had  killed  Paul. 
And  they  were  more  than  forty  that  made  this  con-' 
spiracy. 

And  they  came  to  the  chief  priests  and  the  elders,  and 
said,  "We  have  bound  ourselves  under  a  great  curse, 
to  taste  nothing  until  we  have  killed  Paul.  Now  there- 
fore do  ye  with  the  council  signify  to  the  chief  captain 
that  he  bring  him  down  unto  you,  as  though  ye  would 
judge  his  case  more  exactly:  and  we,  before  he  comes 
near,  are  ready  to  slay  him." 

But  Paul's  sister's  son  heard  of  their  lying  in  wait, 
and  he  came  and  entered  into  the  castle  and  told  Paul. 

And  Paul  called  unto  him  one  of  the  centurions,  and 
said,  "Bring  this  young  man  unto  the  chief  captain; 
for  he  hath  something  to  tell  him." 

So  he  took  him,  and  brought  him  to  the  chief  cap- 
tain, and  saith,  "Paul  the  prisoner  called  me  unto  him, 
and  asked  me  to  bring  this  young  man  unto  thee,  who 
hath  something  to  say  to  thee." 

And  the  chief  captain  took  him  by  the  hand,  and 
going  aside  asked  him  privately,  "What  is  it  that  thou 
hast  to  tell  me?" 

And  he  said,  "The  Jews  have  agreed  to  ask  thee  to 
bring  down  Paul  to-morrow  unto  the  council,  as  though 
thou  wouldest  inquire  somewhat  more  exactly  con- 
cerning him.  Do  not  thou  therefore  yield  unto  them; 
for  there  lie  in  wait  for  him  of  them  more  than  forty 
men,  who  have  bound  themselves  under  a  curse, 
neither  to  eat  nor  to  drink  till  they  have  slain  him : 
and  now  are  they  ready,  looking  for  the  promise  from 
thee."  ' 


150  paul  sent  to  the  procurator 

Paul  Sent  to  the  Procurator 

So  the  chief  captain  let  the  young  man  go,  charging 
him,  "Tell  no  man  that  thou  hast  signified  these  things 
to  me." 

And  he  called  unto  him  two  of  the  centurions,  and 
said,  "Make  ready  two  hundred  soldiers  to  go  as  far  as 
Caesarea,  and  horsemen  threescore  and  ten,  and  spear- 
men two  hundred,  at  the  third  hour  of  the  night:"  and 
he  bade  them  provide  beasts,  that  they  might  set  Paul 
thereon,  and  bring  him  safe  unto  Felix  the  governor. 

And  he  wrote  a  letter  after  this  form : 

Claudius  Lysias, 
unto 
The  Most  Excellent  Governor 
Felix, 
Greeting : 

This  man  was  seized  by  the  Jews,  and  was  about 
to  be  slain  of  them,  when  I  came  upon  them  with 
the  soldiers  and  rescued  him,  having  learned  that  he 
was  a  Roman.  And  desiring  to  know  the  cause 
wherefore  they  accused  him,  I  brought  him  down 
unto  their  council:  whom  I  found  to  be  accused 
about  questions  of  their  law,  but  to  have  nothing 
laid  to  his  charge  worthy  of  death  or  of  bonds.  And 
when  it  was  shown  to  me  that  there  would  be  a  plot 
against  the  man,  I  sent  him  to  thee  forthwith, 
charging  his  accusers  also  to  speak  against  him  before 
thee. 

Arrival  in  Caesarea. 

So  the  soldiers,  as  it  was  commanded  them,  took 
Paul  and  brought  him  by  night  to  Antipatris.  But 
on  the  morrow  they  left  the  horsemen  to  go  with  him, 
and  returned  to  the  castle:  and  they,  when  they  came 
to  Caesarea  and  delivered  the  letter  to   the  governor, 


THE   ACCUSATION   OF  THE  JEWS  151 

presented  Paul  also  before  him.  And  when  he  had 
read  it,  he  asked  of  what  province  he  was;  and  when 
he  understood  that  he  was  of  Cilicia,  "I  will  hear  thee 
fully,"  said  he,  "when  thine  accusers  also  are  come;" 
and  he  commanded  him  to  be  kept  in  Herod's  palace. 

The  Accusation  of  the  Jews. 

And  after  five  days  the  high  priest  Ananias  came 
down  with  certain  elders,  and  with  an  orator,  one 
Tertullus ;  and  they  informed  the  governor  against  Paul. 
And  when  he  was  called,  Tertullus  began  to  accuse  him, 
saying, 

"Seeing  that  by  thee  we  enjoy  much  peace,  and  that 
by  thy  providence  evils  are  corrected  for  this  nation, 
we  accept  it  in  all  ways  and  in  all  places,  most  excellent 
Felix,  with  all  thankfulness, 

"But,  that  I  be  not  further  tedious  unto  thee,  I 
entreat  thee  to  hear  us  of  thy  clemency  a  few  words. 
For  we  have  found  this  man  a  pestilent  fellow,  and  a 
mover  of  insurrections  among  all  the  Jews  throughout 
the  world,  and  a  ringleader  of  the  sect  of  the  Nazarenes: 
who  moreover  assayed  to  profane  the  temple:  on  whom 
also  we  laid  hold:  from  whom  thou  wilt  be  able,  by 
examining  him  thyself,  to  take  knowledge  of  all  these 
things  whereof  we  accuse  him." 

And  the  Jews  also  joined  in  the  charge,  affirming 
that  these  things  were  so. 

And  when  the  governor  had  beckoned  unto  him  to 
speak,   I^aul  answered, 

Paul's  Defence. 

"Forasmuch  as  I  know  that  thou  hast  been  of  many 
years  a  judge  unto  this  nation,  I  cheerfully  make  my 
defence :  seeing  that  thou  canst  take  knowledge  that  it  is 
not  more  than  twelve  days  since  I  went  up  to  worship 
at  Jerusalem:  and  neither  in  the  temple  did  they  find 


152  THE  CASE  REMANDED 

me  disputing  with  any  man  or  stirring  up  a  crowd,  nor 
in  the  synagogues,  nor  in  the  city.  Neither  can  they 
prove  to  thee  the  things  whereof  they  now  accuse  me. 

"But  this  I  confess  unto  thee,  that  after  the  Way 
which  they  call  a  sect,  so  serve  I  the  God  of  our  fathers, 
believing  all  things  which  are  according  to  the  law, 
and  which  are  written  in  the  prophets;  having  hope 
toward  God,  which  these  also  themselves  look  for,  that 
there  shall  be  a  resurrection  both  of  the  just  and  unjust. 
Herein  I  also  exercise  myself  to  have  a  conscience 
void  of  offense  toward  God  and  men  always. 

"Now  after  some  years  I  came  to  bring  alms  to  my 
nation,  and  offerings:  amidst  which  they  found  me 
purified  in  the  temple,  with  no  crowd,  nor  yet  with 
tumult:  but  there  were  certain  Jews  from  Asia — who 
ought  to  have  been  here  before  thee,  and  to  make  accu- 
sation, if  they  had  aught  against  me. 

"Or  else  let  these  men  themselves  say  what  wrong- 
doing they  found  when  I  stood  before  the  council, 
except  it  be  for  this  one  voice,  that  I  cried  standing 
among  them  *  Touching  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  I 
am  called  in  question  before  you  this  day.'  ". 

The  Case  Remanded. 

But  Felix,  having  more  exact  knowledge  concerning 
the  Way,  deferred  them,  saying,  "When  Lysias  the 
chief  captain  shall  come  down,  I  will  determine  your 
matter."  And  he  gave  order  to  the  centurion  that  he 
should  be  kept  in  charge,  and  should  have  indulgence; 
and  not  to  forbid  any  of  his  friends  to  minister  unto  him. 

Paul  and  Felix. 

But  after  certain  days,  Felix  came  with  Drusilla,  his 
wife,  who  was  a  Jewess,  and  sent  for  Paul,  and  heard 
him  concerning  the  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  as  he 
reasoned   of  righteousness,   and   self-control,   and   the 


FESTUS,  TBE  NEW  PROCURATOR         153 

judgment  to  come,  Felix  was  terrified,  and  answered, 
"Go  thy  way  for  this  time;  and  when  I  have  a  con- 
venient season,  I  will  call  thee  unto  me." 

He  hoped  withal  that  money  would  be  given  him  of 
Paul:  wherefore  also  he  sent  for  him  the  oftener,  and 
communed   with   him. 

Festus,  the  New  Procurator. 

But  when  two  years  were  fulfilled,  Felix  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Porcius  Festus;  and  desiring  to  gain  favor 
with  the  Jews,  Felix  left  Paul  in  bonds. 

Festus  therefore,  having  come  into  the  province, 
after  three  days  went  up  to  Jerusalem  from  Caesarea. 
And  the  chief  priests  and  the  principal  men  of  the 
Jews  informed  him  against  Paul;  and  they  besought 
him,  asking  a  favor  against  him,  that  he  would  send 
for  him  to  Jerusalem;  laying  a  plot  to  kill  him  on  the 
way 

Howbeit  Festus  answered,  that  Paul  was  kept  in 
charge  at  Caesarea,  and  that  he  himself  was  about  to 
depart  thither  shortly.  "Let  them  therefore,"  said 
he,  "that  are  of  power  among  you  go  down  with  me, 
and  if  there  is  anything  amiss  in  the  man,  let  them 
accuse   him." 

And  when  he  had  tarried  among  them  not  more  than 
eight  or  ten  days,  he  went  down  unto  Caesarea;  and 
on  the  morrow  he  sat  on  the  judgment-seat,  and  com- 
manded Paul  to  be  brought. 

The  Appeal  to  Caesar. 

And  when  he  was  come,  the  Jews  that  had  come 
down  from  Jerusalem  stood  round  about  him,  bringing 
against  him  many  grievous  charges  which  they  could 
not  prove;  while  Paul  said  in  his  defence,  "Neither 
against  the  laws  of  the  Jews,  nor  against  the  temple, 
nor  against  Caesar,  have  I  sinned  at  all.'' 


154  FESTUS'   CONSULTATION   WITH  AGRIPPA 

But  Festus,  desiring  to  gain  favor  with  the  Jews, 
answered  Paul  and  said,  "Wilt  thou  go  up  to  Jerusalem, 
and  there  be  judged  of  these  things  before  me?" 

But  Paul  said,  "I  am  standing  before  Caesar's  judg- 
ment-seat, where  I  ought  to  be  judged:  to  the  Jews 
have  I  done  no  wrong,  as  thou  also  very  well  knowest. 
If  then  I  am  a  wrong-doer,  and  have  committed  any- 
thing worthy  of  death,  I  refuse  not  to  die;  but  if  none 
of  those  things  is  true  whereof  these  accuse  me,  no 
man  can  give  me  up  unto  them.     I  appeal  unto  Caesar." 

Then  Festus,  when  he  had  conferred  with  the  council, 
answered,  "Thou  hast  appealed  unto  Caesar:  unto 
Caesar  shalt  thou  go." 

Festus'  Consultation  with  Agrippa. 

Now  when  certain  days  were  passed,  Agrippa  the 
king  and  Bernice  arrived  at  Cassarea,  and  saluted  Festus, 
Andasthey  tarried  there  many  days,  Festus  laid  Paul's 
case  before  the  king,  saying,  "There  is  a  certain  man 
left  a  prisoner  by  Felix;  about  whom  when  I  was  at 
Jerusalem,  the  chief  priests  and  the  elders  of  the  Jews 
informed  me,  asking  for  sentence  against  him.  To 
whom  I  answered,  that  it  is  not  the  custom  of  the 
Romans  to  give  up  any  man,  before  that  the  accused 
have  the  accvisers  face  to  face,  and  have  had  opportunity 
to  make  his  defence  concernhig  the  matter  laid  against 
him. 

"When  therefore  they  were  come  together  here,  I 
made  no  delay,  but  on  the  next  day  sat  on  the  judg- 
ment-seat, and  commanded  tlie  man  to  be  brought. 
Concerning  whom,  when  the  accusers  stood  up,  they 
brought  no  charge  of  such  evil  things  as  I  supposed; 
but  had  certain  questions  against  him  of  their  own 
religion,  and  of  one  Jesus,  who  was  dead,  whom  Paul 
affirmed  to  be  alive. 

"And  I,  being  perplexed  how  to  inquire  concerning 


PAUL  BEFORE  AGRIPPA  155 

these  things,  asked  whether  he  would  go  to  Jerusalem 
and  there  be  judged  of  these  matters.  But  when  Paul 
had  appealed  to  be  kept  for  the  decision  of  the  emperor, 
I  commanded  him  to  be  kept  till  I  should  send  him  to 
Cassar." 

And  Agrippa  said  unto  Festus,  "I  also  could  wish 
to  hear  the  man  myself." 

"Tomorrow,"  saith  he,  "thou  shalt  hear  him." 

Paul  Before  Agrippa. 

So  on  the  morrow,  when  Agrippa  was  come,  and 
Bemice,  with  great  pomp,  and  they  were  entered  into 
the  place  of  hearing  with  the  chief  captains  and  the 
principal  men  of  the  city,  at  the  command  of  Festus 
Paul  was  brought  in. 

And  Festus  saith,  "King  Agrippa,  and  all  men  who 
are  here  present  with  us,  ye  heboid  this  man,  about 
whom  all  the  multitude  of  the  Jews  made  suit  to  me, 
both  at  Jerusalem  and  here,  crying  that  he  ought  not 
to  I've  any  longer.  But  I  found  that  he  had  committed 
nothing  worthy  of  death:  and  as  he  himself  appealed 
to  the  emperor  I  determined  to  send  him. 
Of  whom  I  have  no  certain  thing  to  write  unto  my 
lord.  Wherefore  I  have  brought  him  forth  before  you, 
and  specially  before  thee,  king  Agrippa,  that,  after 
examination  had,  I  may  have  somewhat  to  write.  For 
it  seemeth  to  me  unreasonable,  in  sending  a  prisoner, 
not  withal  to  signify  the  charges  against  him." 

And  Agrippa  said  unto  Paul,  "Thou  art  permitted 
to  speak  for  thyself." 

Paul's  Speech  to  Agrippa. 

Then  Paul  stretched  forth  his  hand,  and  made  his 
defence : 

"I  think  myself  happy,  king  Agrippa,  that  I  am  to 
make  my  defence  before  thee  this  day  touching  all  the 


156  Paul's  speech  to  agrippa 

things  whereof  I  am  accused  by  the  Jews:  especially 
because  thou  art  expert  in  all  customs  and  questions 
which  are  among  the  Jews:  wherefore  I  beseech  thee 
to  hear  me  patiently. 

"My  manner  of  life  then  from  my  youth  up,  which 
was  from  the  beginning  among  mine  own  nation  and  at 
Jerusalem,  know  all  the  Jews;  having  knowledge  of 
me  from  the  first,  if  they  be  willing  to  testify,  that  after 
the  straitest  sect  of  our  religion  I  lived  a  Pharisee. 

"And  now  I  stand  here  to  be  judged  for  the  hope  of 
the  promise  made  of  God  unto  our  fathers;  unto  which 
promise  our  twelve  tribes,  earnestly  serving  God  night 
and  day,  hope  to  attain.  And  concerning  this  hope  I 
am  accused  by  the  Jews,  O  king!  Why  is  it  judged 
incredible  with  you,  if  God  doth  raise  the  dead? 

* '  I  verily  thought  with  myself  that  I  ought  to  do 
many  things  contrary  to  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth. 
And  this  I  also  did  in  Jerusalem:  and  I  both  shut  up 
many  of  the  saints  in  prisons,  having  received  authority 
from  the  chief  priests,  and  when  they  were  put  to  death 
I  gave  my  vote  against  them.  And  punishing  them 
oftentimes  in  all  the  synagogues,  I  strove  to  make 
them  blaspheme;  and  being  exceedingly  mad  against 
them,    I    persecuted   them   even    unto    foreign   cities. 

"Whereupon  as  I  journeyed  to  Damascus  with  the 
authority  and  commission  of  the  chief  priests,  at  midday, 
O  king,  I  saw  on  the  way  a  light  from  heaven,  above 
the  brightness  of  the  sun,  shining  round  about  me  and 
them  that  journeyed  with  me. 

"And  when  we  were  all  fallen  to  the  earth,  I  Jieard 
a  voice  saying  unto  me  in  the  Hebrew  language,  '  Saul, 
Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me?  it  is  hard  for  thee 
to  kick  against  the  goad.' 

"And  I  said,  'Who  art  thou.  Lord?'  And  the  Lord 
said,  '  I  am  Jesus  whom  thou  persecutest.     But  arise, 


THE  EFFECT  OF  THE  SPEBCH  157 

and  stand  upon  thy  feet :  for  to  this  end  have  I  appeared 
unto  thee,  to  appoint  thee  a  minister  and  a  witness  both 
of  the  things  wherein  thou  hast  seen  me,  and  of  the 
things  wherein  I  will  appear  unto  thee;  delivering  thee 
from  the  people,  and  from  the  Gentiles,  tmto  whom 
I  send  thee,  to  open  their  eyes,  that  they  may  turn  from 
darkness  to  light  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
God,  that  they  may  receive  remission  of  sins  and  an 
inheritance  among  them  that  are  sanctified  by  faith  in 
me.* 

"Wherefore,  O  king  Agrippa,  I  was  not  disobedient 
unto  the  heavenly  vision:  but  declaied  both  to  them 
of  Damascus  first,  and  at  Jerusalem,  and  throughout 
all  the  country  of  Judaea,  and  also  to  the  Gentiles,  that 
they  should  repent  and  turn  to  God,  doing  works 
worthy  of  repentance.  For  this  cause  the  Jews  seized 
me  in  the  temple,  and  assayed  to  kill  me. 

"Having  therefore  obtained  the  help  that  is  from 
God,  I  stand  unto  this  day  testifying  both  to  small 
and  great,  saying  nothing  but  what  the  prophets  and 
Moses  did  say  should  come;  how  that  the  Christ  must 
suffer,  and  how  that  he  first  by  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead  should  proclaim  light  both  to  the  people  and  to 
the  Gentiles." 

The  Effect  of  the  Speech. 

And  as  he  thus  made  his  defence,  Festus  saith  with  a 
loud  voice,  "Paul,  thou  art  mad;  thy  much  learning 
is  turning  thee  mad." 

But  Paul  saith,  "I  am  not  mad,  most  excellent  Festus, 
but  spc  ak  forth  words  of  truth  and  soberness.  For  the 
king  knoweth  of  these  things,  unto  whom  also  I  speak 
freely :  lor  I  am  persuaded  that  none  of  these  things  is 
hidden  from  him;  for  this  hath  not  been  done  in  a 
corner.  King  Agrippa,  believest  thou  the  prophets? 
I  know  that  thou  believest." 


158  THE   DEPARTURE   FOR  ITALY 

And  Agrippa  said  unto  Paul,  "With  but  little  per- 
suasion thou  wouldest  fain  make  me  a  Christian." 

And  Paul  said,  "I  would  to  God,  that  whether  with 
little  or  with  much,  not  only  thou,  but  also  all  that 
hear  me  this  day,  might  become  such  as  I  am,  except 
these  bonds." 

And  the  king  rose  up,  and  the  governor,  and  Bernice, 
and  they  that  sat  with  them :  and  when  they  had  with- 
drawn, they  spake  one  to  another,  saying,  "This  man 
doeth  nothing  worthy  of  death  or  of  bonds." 

And  Agrippa  said 'unto  Festus,  "This  man  might 
have  been  set  at  liberty,  if  he  had  not  appealed  unto 
Caesar.  " 

The    Departure    for    Italy:       Paul,    Luke    and 
Aristarchus. 

And  when  it  was  determined  that  we  should  sail  for 
Italy,  they  delivered  Paul  and  certain  other  prisoners 
to  a  centurion  named  JuHus,  of  the  Augustan  band. 
And  embarking  in  a  ship  of  Adramyttium,  which  was 
about  to  sail  unto  the  places  on  the  coast  of  Asia,  we 
put  to  sea,  Aristarchus,  a  Macedonian  of  Thessalonica 
being  with  us. 

And  the  next  day  we  touched  at  Sidon:  and  Julius 
treated  Paul  kindly,  and  gave  him  leave  to  go  unto  his 
friends  and  refresh  himself. 

And  putting  to  sea  from  thence,  we  sailed  under  the 
lee  of  Cyprus,  because  the  winds  were  contrary.  And 
when  we  had  sailed  across  the  sea  which  is  off  Cilicia 
and  Pamphylia,  we  came  to  Myra,  a  city  of  Lycia. 

And  there  the  centurion  iound  a  ship  of  Alexandria 
saihng  for  Italy;  and  he  put  us  therein.  And  when  we 
had  sailed  slowly  many  days,  and  were  come  with 
difficulty  over  against  Cnidus,  the  wind  not  further 
suffering  us,  we    sailed  under    the  lee  of   Crete,  over 


Paul's  advice  on  seamanship  159 

against  Salmone;  and  with  difficulty  coasting  along  it 
we  came  unto  a  certain  place  called  Fair  Havens;  nigh 
whereunto  was  the  city  of  Lasea. 

Paul's  Advice  on  Seamanship. 

And  when  much  time  was  spent,  and  the  voyage 
was  now  dangerous,  because  the  Fast  was  now  already 
gone  by,  Paul  admonished  them,  and  said  unto  them, 
"Sirs,  I  perceive  that  the  voyage  will  be  with  injury 
and  much  loss,  not  only  of  the  lading  and  the  ship,  but 
also  of  our  lives." 

But  the  centurion  ga.ve  more  heed  to  the  master  and 
to  the  owner  of  the  ship,  than  to  those  things  which 
were  spoken  by  Paul.  And  because  the  haven  was  not 
commodious  to  winter  in,  the  more  part  advised  to  put 
to  sea  from  thence,  if  by  any  means  they  could  reach 
Phoenix,  and  winter  there;  which  is  a  haven  of  Crete, 
looking  north-east  and  south-east. 

And  when  the  south  wind  blew  softly,  supposing  that 
they  had  obtained  their  purpose,  they  weighed  anchor 
and  sailed  along  Crete,  close  in  shore. 

The   Hurricane. 

But  after  no  long  time  there  beat  down  from  it  a 
tempestuous  wind,  which  is  called  Euraquilo:  and 
when  the  ship  was  caught,  and  could  not  face  the  wind, 
we  gave  way  to  it,  and  were  driven. 

And  running  under  the  lea  of  a  small  island  called 
Cauda,  we  were  able,  with  difficulty,  to  secure  the  b  at: 
and  when  they  had  hoisted  it  up,  they  used  helps,  under- 
girding  the  ship;  and,  fearing  lest  they  should  be  cast 
upon  the  Syrtis,  they  lowered  the  gear,  and  so  were 
driven. 

And  as  we  labored  exceedingly  with  the  storm,  the 
next  day  they  began  to  throw  the  freight  overboard; 


160  THE  SHIPWRECK 

and  the  third  day  they  cast  out  with  their  own  hands 
the  tackhng  of  the  ship.  And  when  neither  sun  nor 
stars  shone  upon  us  for  many  days,  and  no  small 
tempest  lay  on  us,  all  hope  that  we  should  be  saved 
was  now  taken  away. 

And  when  they  had  been  long  without  food,  then 
Paul  stood  forth  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  said,  "Sirs, 
ye  should  have  hearkened  unto  me,  and  not  have  set 
sail  from  Crete,  and  have  gotten  this  injury  and  loss. 
And  now  I  exhort  you  to  be  of  good  cheer;  for  there 
shall  be  no  loss  of  life  among  you,  but  only  of  the  ship. 
For  there  stood  by  me  this  night  an  angel  of  the  God 
whose  I  am,  whom  also  I  serve,  saying,  'Fear  not, 
Paul;  thou  must  stand  before  Csesar:  and  lo,  God  hath 
grante'd  thee  all  them  that  sail  with  thee.'  Wherefore, 
sirs,  be  of  good  cheer:  for  I  believe  God,  that  it  shall  be 
even  so  as  it  hath  been  spoken  unto  me.  But  we  must 
be  cast  upon  a  certain  island." 

The   Shipwreck. 

But  when  the  fourteenth  night  was  come,  as  we  were 
driven  to  and  fro  in  the  sea  of  Adria,  about  midnight 
the  sailors  surmised  that  they  were  drawing  near  to 
some  country:  and  they  sounded,  and  found  twenty 
fathoms;  and  after  a  little  space,  they  sounded  again, 
and  found  fifteen  fathoms.  And  fearing  lest  haply  we 
should  be  cast  ashore  on  rocky  ground,  they  let  go  four 
anchors  from  the  stem,  and  wished  for  the  day. 

And  as  the  sailors  were  seeking  to  flee  out  of  the  ship, 
and  had  lowered  the  boat  into  the  sea,  under  color  as 
though  they  would  lay  out  anchors  from  the  foreship, 
Paul  said  to  the  centurion  and  to  the  soldiers,  "Except 
these  abide  in  the  ship,  ye  cannot  be  saved."  Then  the 
soldiers  cut  away  the  ropes  of  the  boat,  and  let  her  fall 
off. 


ON  THE  ISLAND  OF  MELITA  161 

And  while  the  day  was  coming  on,  Paul  besought  them 
all  to  take  some  food,  saying,  "This  day  is  the  four- 
teenth day  that  we  wait  and  continue  fasting,  having 
taken  nothing.  Wherefore  I  beseech  you  to  take  some 
food:  for  this  is  for  your  safety:  for  there  shall  not  a 
hair  perish  from  the  head  of  any  of  you  " 

And  when  he  had  said  this,  and  had  taken  bread, 
he  gave  thanks  to  God  in  the  presence  of  aU:  and  he 
brake  it,  and  began  to  eat.  Then  were  they  all  of  good 
cheer,  and  themselves  also  took  food.  And  we  were 
in  all  in  the  ship  two  hundred  threescore  and  sixteen 
souls. 

And  when  they  had  eaten  enough,  they  lightened  the 
ship,  throv/ing  out  the  wheat  into  the  sea.  And  when 
it  was  day,  they  knev/ not  the  land :  but  they  perceived 
a  certain  bay  with  a  beach,  and  they  took  counsel 
whether  they  could  drive  the  ship  upon  it. 

And  casting  off  the  anchors,  they  left  them  in  the 
sea,  at  the  same  time  loosing  the, bands  of  the  rudders; 
and  hoisting  up  the  foresail  to  the  wind,  they  made  for 
the  beach.  But  lighting  upon  a  place  where  two  seas 
met,  they  ran  the  vessel  aground;  and  the  foreship 
struck  and  remained  unmovable,  but  the  stem  began 
to  break  up  by  the  violence  of  the  waves. 

And  the  soldiers'  counsel  was  to  kill  the  prisoners, 
lest  any  of  them  should  swim  out,  and  escape.  But 
the  centurion,  desiring  to  save  Paul,  stayed  them  from 
their  purpose;  and  commanded  that  they  who  could 
swim  should  cast  themselves  overboard,  and  get  first 
to  the  land;  and  the  rest,  some  on  planks,  and  some  on 
other  things  from  the  ship.  And  so  it  came  to  pass, 
that  they  all  escaped  safe  to  the  land. 

On  the  Island  of  Melita. 

And  when  we  were  escaped,  then  we  knew  that  the 
island  was  called  MeUta.     And  the  barbarians  showed 


162  HEALING  THE  SICK 

US  no  common  kindness:  for  they  kindled  a  fire,  and 
received  us  all,  because  of  the  present  rain,  and  because 
of  the  cold. 

But  when  Paul  had  gathered  a  bundle  of  sticks  and 
laid  them  on  the  fire,  a  viper  came  out  by  reason  of  the 
heat,  and  fastened  on  his  hand.  And  when  the  bar- 
barians saw  the  venomous  creature  hanging  from  his 
hand,  they  said  one  to  another,  "No  doubt  this  man 
is  a  murderer,  whom,  though  he  hath  escaped  from 
the  sea,  yet  Justice  hath  not  suffered  to  live." 

Howbeit  he  shook  off  the  creature  into  tlie  fire,  and 
took  no  harm.  But  they  expected  that  he  would  have 
swollen,  or  fallen  down  dead  suddenly:  but  when  they 
were  long  in  expectation  and  beheld  nothing  amiss 
come  to  him,  they  changed  their  minds,  and  said  that 
he  was  a  god. 

Healing  the  Sick. 

Now  in  the  neighborhood  of  that  place  were  lands 
belonging  to  the  chief  man  of  the  island,  named  Publius; 
who  received  us,  and  entertained  us  three  days  cour- 
teously. And  it  was  so,  that  the  father  of  Publius  lay 
sick  of  fever  and  dysentery:  unto  whom  Paul  entered 
in,  and  prayed,  and  laying  his  hands  on  him  healed 
him.  And  when  this  was  done,  the  rest  also  that  had 
diseases  in  the  island  caine,  and  were  cured:  who  also 
honored  us  with  many  honors;  and  when  we  sailed, 
they  put  on  board  such  things  as  we  needed. 

The  Voyage  to  Rome. 

And  after  three  months  we  set  sail  in  a  ship  of  Alex- 
andria which  had  wintered  in  the  island,  whose  sign 
was  "The  Twin  Brothers."  And  touching  at  Syracuse, 
we  tarried  there  three  days. 

And  from  thence  we  made  a  circuit,  and  arrived  at 
Rhegium;  and  after  one  day  a  south  wind  sprang  up. 


THE   ROMAN   IMPRISONMENT  163 

and  on  the  second  day  we  came  to  Puteoli;  where  we 
found  brethren,  and  were  entreated  to  tarry  with  them 
seven  days :  and  so  we  came  to  Rome.  And  from  thence 
the  brethren,  when  they  heard  of  us,  came  to  meet  us 
as  far  as  The  Market  of  Appius  and  The  Three  Taverns; 
whom  when  Paul  saw,  he  thanked  God,  and  took 
courage. 

The  Roman  Imprisonment. 

And  when  we  entered  into  Rome,  Paul  was  suffered 
to  abide  by  himself  with  the  soldier  that  guarded  him. 

Conference  with  the  Roman  Jews. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  that  after  three  days  he  called 
together  those  that  were  the  chief  of  the  Jews:  and 
when  they  were  come  together,  he  said  unto  them, 
"I,  brethren,  though  I  had  done  nothing  against  the 
people,  or  the  customs  of  our  fathers,  yet  was  delivered 
prisoner  from  Jerusalem  into  the  hands  of  the  Romans : 
who,  when  they  had  examined  me,  desired  to  set  me 
at  liberty,  because  there  was  no  caus.^  of  death  in  me. 

"But  when  the  Jews  spake  against  it,  I  was  con- 
strained to  appeal  unto  Ctesar;  not  that  I  had  aught 
whereof  to  accuse  my  nation.  For  this  cause  therefore 
did  I  entreat  you  to  see  and  to  speak  with  me  for  be- 
cause of  the  hope  of  Israel  I  atn  bound  with  this  chain." 

And  they  said  unto  him,  "We  neither  received  letters 
from  Judaea  concerning  thee,  nor  did  any  of  the  brethren 
come  hither  and  report  or  speak  any  harm  of  thee. 
But  we  desire  to  hear  of  thee  what  thou  thinkest:  for 
as  concerning  this  sect,  it  is  known  to  us  that  every- 
where it  is  spoken  against." 

And  when  they  had  appointed  him  a  day,  they  came 
to  him  into  his  lodging  in  great  number;  to  whom  he 
expounded  the  matter,  testifying  the  kingdom  of  God, 


164  TWa  YBARS  WAITING  FOR  TRIAL 

and  persuading  them  concerning  Jesus,  both  from  the 
law  of  Moses  and  from  the  prophets,  from  morning  till 
evening. 

And  some  believed  the  things  which  were  spoken, 
and  some  disbelieved.  And  when  they  agreed  not 
among  themselves,  they  departed  after  that  Paul  had 
spoken  one  word,  "Well  spake  the  Hoi)'-  Spirit  through 
Isaiah  the  prophet  unto  your  fathers,  saying, 

'Go  thou  unto  this  people,  and  say, 
By  hearing  ye  shall  hear,  and  shall  in  no  wise 

understand ; 
And  seeing  ye  shall   see,   and  shall  in   no  wise 

perceive : 
For  this  people's  heart  is  waxed  gross, 
And  their  ears  are  dull  of  hearing, 
And  their  eyes  they  have  closed; 
Lest  haply  they  should  perceive  with  their  eyes, 
And  hear  with  their  ears, 
And  understand  with  their  heart. 
And  should  turn  again, 
And  I  should  heal  them\' 

Be  it  known  therefore  unto  you,  that  this  salvation 
of  God  is  sent  unto  the  Gentiles:  they  will  also  hear." 

Two  Years  Waiting  for  Trial. 

And  he  abode  two  whole  years  in  his  own  hired 
dwelling,  and  received  all  that  went  in  unto  him, 
preaching  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  teaching  the  things 
concerning  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all  boldness, 
none  forbidding  him. 


LETTER  TO  THE  PHILIPPIANS.* 

PAUL  AND  TIMOTHY,  SERVANTS  OF  CHRIST  JESUS,  TO  ALL 
THE  SAINTS  IN  CHRIST  JESUS  THAT  ARE  AT  PHILIPPI, 
WITH  THE  BISHOPS  AND  DEACONS:  GRACE  TO  YOU  AND 
PEACE  FROM  GOD  OUR  FATHER  AND  THE  LORD  JESUS 
CHRIST. 

A  Thanksgiving. 

I  thank  my  God  upon  all  my  remembrance  of  you, 
always  in  every  supplication  of  mine  on  behalf  of  yow 
all  making  my  supplication  with  joy,  for  your  fellow- 
ship in  furtherance  of  the  gospel  from  the  first  day 
until  now;  being  confident  of  this  very  thing,  that  he 
who  began  a  good  work  in  you  will  perfect  it  until  the 
day  of  Jesus  Christ:  even  as  it  is  right  for  me  to  be 
thus  minded  on  behalf  of  you  all,  because  I  have  you 
in  my  heart,  inasmuch  as,  both  in  my  bonds  and  in  the 
defence  and  confirmation  of  the  gospel,  ye  all  are  par- 
takers with  me  of  grace. 

A  Prayer. 

For  God  is  my  witness,  how  I  long  after  you  in  all 
the  tender  mercies  of  Christ  Jesus.  And  this  I  pray, 
that  your  love  may  abound  yet  more  and  more  in 
knowledge  and  all  discernment ;  so  that  ye  may  approve 
the  things  that  are  excellent ;  that  ye  may  be  sincere  and 
void  of  offence  unto  the  day  of  Christ ;  being  filled  with 
the  fruits  of  righteousness,  which  are  through  Jesus 
Christ,  unto  the  glory  and  praise  of  God. 


(*)This  letter  was  probably  written  from  Rome  after  the  Philip- 
pian  Church  had  sent  Paul  a  present  by  Epaphroditus. 

166 


166  the  bonds  and  the  gospel 

The  Bonds  and  the  Gospel. 

Now  I  would  have  you  know,  brethren,  that  the 
things  which  happened  unto  me  have  fallen  out  rather 
unto  the  progress  of  the  gospel;  so  that  my  bonds  be- 
came manifest  in  Christ  throughout  the  whole  pragtorian 
guard,  and  to  all  the  rest;  and  that  most  of  the  brethren 
in  the  Lord,  being  confident  through  my  bonds,  are 
more  abundantly  bold  to  speak  the  word  of  God  without 
fear. 

Some  indeed  preach  Christ  even  of  envy  and  strife; 
and  some  also  of  good  will:  the  one  do  it  of  love,  know- 
ing that  I  am  set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel :  but  the 
•other  proclaim  Christ  of  faction,  not  sincerely,  thinking 
to  raise  up  affliction  for  me  in  my  bonds. 

Christ  Magnified. 

What  then?  only  that  in  every  way,  whether  in 
pretence  or  in  truth,  Christ  is  proclaimed;  and  therein  I 
rejoice,  yea,  and  will  rejoice.  For  I  know  that  this  shall 
turn  out  to  my  salvation,  through  your  supplication 
and  the  supply  of  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ,  according 
to  my  earnest  expectation  and  hope,  that  in  nothing 
shall  I  be  put  to  shame,  but  that  with  all  boldness,  as 
always,  so  now  also  Christ  shall  be  magnified  in  my 
body,  whether  by  life,  or  by  death. 

For  to  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain.  But 
if  to  live  in  th(i  flesh, — if  this  shall  bring  fruit  from  my 
work,  then  what  I  shall  choose  I  know  not.  But  I 
am  in  a  strait  betwixt  the  two,  having  the  desire  to 
depart  and  be  with  Christ;  for  it  is  very  far  better:  yet 
to  abide  in  the  flesh  is  more  needful  for  your  sake. 
And  having  this  confidence,  I  know  that  I  shall  abide, 
yea,]and  abide  with  you  all,  for  your  progress  and  joy  in 
the  faith;  that  your  glorying  may  abound  in  Christ 
Jesus  in  me  through  mxy  presence  with  you  again. 


exhortation  to  courage        167 

Exhortation  to  Courage. 

Only  let  your  manner  of  life  be  worthy  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ:  that,  whether  I  come  and  see  you  or  be 
absent,  I  may  hear  of  your  state,  that  ye  stand  fast  in 
one  spirit,  with  one  soul  striving  for  the  faith  of  the 
gospel;  and  in  nothing  affrighted  by  the  adversaries: 
which  is  for  them  an  evident  token  of  perdition,  but 
of  your  salvation,  and  that  from  God;  because  to  you 
it  hath  been  granted  in  the  behalf  of  Christ,  not  only  to 
believe  on  him,  but  also  to  suffer  in  his  behalf:  having 
the  same  conflict  which  ye  saw  in  me,  and  now  hear  to 
be  in  me. 

Unity  and  Humility. 

If  there  is  therefore  any  exhortation  in  Christ,  if  any 
consolation  of  love,  if  any  fellowship  of  the  Spirit, 
if  any  tender  mercies  and  compassions,  make  full  my 
joy,  that  ye  be  of  the  same  mind,  having  the  same  love, 
being  of  one  accord,  of  one  mind;  doing  nothing  through 
faction  or  through  vainglory,  but  in  lowliness  of  mind 
each  counting  other  better  than  himself;  not  looking 
each  of  you  to  his  own  things  but  each  of  you  also  to 
the  things  of  others. 

Example  of  Christ's  Humility. 

Have  this  mind  in  you,  which  was  also  in  Christ 
Jesus:  who,  existing  in  the  form  of  God,  counted  not 
the  being  on  an  equality  with  God  a  thing  to  be  grasped, 
but  em.ptied  himself,  taking  the  form  of  a  servant, 
being  made  in  the  likeness  of  men;  and  being  found  in 
fashion  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himself,  becoming  obedi- 
ent even  unto  death,  yea,  the  death  of  the  cross. 

Christ's  Exaltation. 

Wherefore  also  God  highly  exalted  him,  and  gave 
unto  him  the  name  which  is  above  every  name;  that 


168  SALVATION  CARRIED  THROUGH 

in  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  things 
in  heaven  and  things  on  earth  and  things  under  the 
earth,  and  that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father. 

Salvation  Carried  Through. 

So  then,  my  beloved,  even  as  ye  have  always  obeyed, 
not  as  in  my  presence  only,  but  now  much  more  in 
my  absence,  work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear 
and  trembling;  for  it  is  God  who  worketh  in  you  both 
to  will  and  to  work,  for  his  good  pleasure. 

Do  all  things  without  murmurings  and  questionings; 
that  ye  may  become  blameless  and  harmless,  children 
of  God  without  blemish  in  the  midst  of  a  crooked  and 
perverse  generation,  among  whom  ye  are  seen  as  lights 
in  the  world,  holding  forth  the  word  of  life;  that  I  may 
have  whereof  to  glory  in  the  day  of  Christ,  that  I  did 
not  run  in  vain  neither  labor  in  vain. 

Yea,  and  if  I  am  offered  upon  the  sacrifice  and  ser- 
vice of  your  faith,  I  joy,  and  rejoice  with  you  all:  and 
in  the  same  manner  do  ye  also  joy,  and  rejoice  with  me. 

The  Plan  to  Send  T  mothy. 

But  I  hope  in  the  Lord  Jesus  to  send  Timothy  shortly 
tinto  you,  that  I  also  may  be  of  good  comfo.t,  when 
I  know  your  state.  For  I  have  no  man  likeminded, 
who  will  care  truly  for  your  state.  For  they  all  seek 
their  own,  not  the  things  of  Jesus  Christ.  But  ye 
know  the  proof  of  him,  that,  as  a  child  serveth  a  father, 
so  he  served  with  me  in  furtherance  of  the  gospel. 
Him  therefore  I  hope  to  send  forthwith,  so  soon  as  I 
shall  see  how  it  will  go  with  me :  but  I  trust  in  the  Lord 
that  I  myself  also  shall  come  shortly. 


the  return  of  epaphroditus  169 

The  Return  of  Epaphroditus. 

But  I  counted  it  necessary  to  send  to  you  Epaphro- 
ditus, my  brother  and  fellow-worker  and  fellow- 
soldier,  and  your  messenger  and  minister  to  my  need; 
since  he  longed  after  you  all,  and  was  sore  troubled, 
because  ye  had  heard  that  he  was  sick:  for  indeed  he 
was  sick  nigh  unto  death :  but  God  had  mercy  on  him ; 
and  not  on  him  only,  but  on  me  also,  that  I  might 
not  have  sorrow  upon  sorrow. 

I  have  sent  him  therefore  the  more  diligently,  that, 
when  ye  see  him  again,  ye  may  rejoice,  and  that  I 
may  be  the  less  sorrowful.  Receive  him  therefore  in 
the  Lord  with  all  joy;  and  hold  such  in  honor:  because 
for  the  work  of  Christ  he  came  nigh  unto  death,  haz- 
arding his  life  to  supply  that  which  was  lacking  in 
your  service  toward  me. 

Confidence  in  the  Flesh. 

Finally,  my  brethren,  rejoice  in  the  Lord.  To  write 
the  same  things  to  you,  to  me  indeed  is  not  irksome, 
but  for  you  it  is  safe. 

Beware  of  the  dogs,  beware  of  the  evil  workers, 
bevv^are  of  the  concision:  for  we  are  the  circumcision, 
who  worship  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  glory  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  have  no  confidence  in  the  flesh:  though  I 
myself  might  have  confidence  even  in  the  flesh:  if  any 
other  man  thinketh  to  have  confidence  in  the  flesh, 
I  yet  more:  circumcised  the  eighth  day,  of  the  stock 
of  Israel,  of  the  tribe  of  Benjamin,  a  Hebrew  of  He- 
brews; as  touching  the  law,  a  Pharisee;  as  touching 
zeal,  persecuting  the  church;  as  touching  the  righteous- 
ness which  is    in  the  law,  found  blameless. 

The  Great  Renunciation. 

Howbeit  what  things  were  gain  to  me,  these  have 
I  counted  loss  for  Christ.     Yea  verily,  and  I  count  all 


170  PRESSING  TOWARD  THE  GOAL 

things  to  be  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge 
of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord:  for  whom  I  suffered  the  loss 
of  all  things,  and  do  count  them  but  refuse,  that  I 
may  gain  Christ,  and  be  found  in  him,  not  having  a 
righteousness  of  mine  own,  even  that  which  is  of  the 
law,  but  that  which  is  through  faith  in  Christ,  the 
righteousness  which  is  from  God  by  faith:  that  I  may 
know  him,  and  the  power  of  his  resurrection,  and  the 
fellowship  of  his  sufferings,  becoming  conformed  unto 
his  death;  if  by  any  means  I  may  attain  unto  the 
resurrection  from  the  dead. 

Pressing  Toward  the  Goal. 

Not  that  I  have  already  obtained,  or  am  already 
made  perfect:  but  I  press  on,  if  so  be  that  I  may  lay 
hold  on  that  for  which  also  I  was  laid  hold  on  by 
Christ  Jesus. 

Brethren,  I  count  not  myself  yet  to  have  laid  hold: 
but  one  thing  I  do,  forgetting  the  things  which  are 
behind,  and  stretching  forward  to  the  things  which 
are  before,  I  press  on  toward  the  goal  unto  the  prize 
of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

COND.TIONS  OF   CHRISTIAN   PROGRESS. 

Let  us  therefore,  as  many  as  are  perfect,  be  thus 
minded:  and  if  in  anything  ye  are  otherwise  minded, 
this  also  shall  God  reveal  unto  you:  only,  whereuntowe 
have  attained,  by  that  same  rule  let  us  walk. 

Brethren,  be  ye  imitators  together  of  me,  and  mark 
them  that  so  walk  even  as  ye  have  us  for  an  ensample. 
For  many  walk,  of  whom  I  told  you  often,  and  now 
tell  you  even  weeping,  that  they  are  the  enemies  of 
the  cross  of  Christ:  whose  end  is  perdition,  whose  god 
is  the  belly,  and  whose  glory  is  in  their  shame,  who 
mind  earthly  things. 


TWO   WOMEN  AT  VARIAiNXE  171 

For  our  citizenship  is  in  heaven;  whence  also  we  wait 
for  a  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ :  who  shall  fashion 
anew  the  body  of  our  humiliation,  that  it  may  be  con- 
formed to  the  body  of  his  glory,  according  to  the  work- 
ing whereby  he  is  able  even  to  subject  all  things  unto 
himself. 

Wherefore,  my  brethren  beloved  and  longed  for, 
my  joy  and  crown,  so  stand  fast  in  the  Lord,  my 
beloved. 

Two  Women  at  Variance. 

I  exhort  Euodia,  and  I  exhort  Syntyche,  to  be  of  the 
same  mind  in  the  Lord.  Yea,  I  beseech  thee  also, 
true  yokefellow,  help  these  women,  for  they  labored 
with  me  in  the  gospel,  with  Clement  also,  and  the  rest 
of  my  fellow-workers,  whose  names  are  in  the  book 
of  life. 

Joy  and  Forbearance. 

Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always:  again  I  will  say,  Rejoice. 
Let  your  forbearance  be  known  unto  all  men.  The 
Lord  is  at  hand.  In  nothing  be  anxious;  but  in  every- 
thing by  prayer  and  supplication  with  thanksgiving 
let  your  requests  be  made  known  unto  God.  And 
the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding, 
shall  guard  your  hearts  and  your  thoughts  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

Things  to  be  Valued. 

Finally,  brethren,  whatsoever  things  are  true,  what- 
soever things  are  honorable,  whatsoever  things  are 
just,  whatsoever  things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things 
are  lovely,  whatsoever  things  are  of  good  report;  if 
there  be  any  virtue,  and  if  there  be  any  praise,  think 
on  these  things.  The  things  which  ye  both  learned 
and  received  and  heard  and  saw  in  me,  these  things  do: 
and  the  God  of  peace  shall  be  with  3'ou. 


172  the  secret  of  content 

The  Secret  of  Content. 

But  I  rejoice  in  the  Lord  greatly,  that  now  at  length 
ye  have  revived  your  thought  for  me;  wherein  ye  did 
indeed  take  thought,  but  ye  lacked  opportunity. 
Not  that  I  speak  in  respect  of  want :  for  I  have  learned, 
in  whatsoever  state  I  am,  therein  to  be  content.  I 
know  how  to  be  abased,  and  I  know  also  how  to  abound : 
in  everything  and  in  all  things  have  I  learned  the  secret 
both  to  be  filled  and  to  be  hungry,  both  to  abound  and 
to  be  in  want.  I  can  do  all  things  in  him  that  strength- 
eneth  me. 

Thanks  for  the  Philippian  Present. 

Howbeit  3^e  did  well  that  ye  had  fellowship  with  my 
affliction.  And  ye  yourselves  also  know,  ye  Philip- 
pians,  that  in  the  beginning  of  the  gospel,  when  I 
departed  from  Macedonia,  no  church  had  fellowship 
with  me  in  the  matter  of  giving  and  receiving  but  ye 
only;  for  even  in  Thessalonica  ye  sent  once  and  again 
unto  my  need.  Not  that  I  seek  for  the  gift;  but  I 
seek  for  the  fruit  that  increaseth  to  your  account. 

But  I  have  all  things,  and  abound:  I  am  filled,  hav- 
ing received  from  Epaphroditus  the  things  that  came 
from  you,  an  odor  of  a  sweet  smell,  a  sacrifice  accepta- 
ble, well-pleasing  to  God.  And  my  God  shall  supply 
every  need  of  yours  according  to  his  riches  in  glory 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

DOXOLOGY. 

Now  unto  our  God  and  Father  be  the  glory  for 
ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

Salutations. 
Salute  every  saint  in  Christ  Jesus.     The  brethren 
that  are  with  me  salute  you.     All  the   saints  salute 
you,  especially  they  that  are  of  Caesar's  household. 
The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with 
your  spirit. 


LETTER  TO  THE  EPHESIANS\ 

Paul,  an  apostle  of  Christ  jbsus  through  the 
will  of  god,  to  the  saints  that  are  at  ephesus, 
and  the  faithful  in  christ  jesus:  grace  to 
you  and  peace  from  god  our  father  and  the 
lord  jesus  christ. 

God's  Blessed  Purpose. 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with  every  spiritual  bless- 
ing in  the  heavenly  places  in  Christ:  even  as  he  chose 
us  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that  we 
should  be  holy  and  without  blemish  before  him  in 
love:  having  foreordained  us  unto  adoption  as  sons 
through  Jesus  Christ  unto  himself,  according  to  the 
good  pleasure  of  his  will,  to  the  praise  of  the  glory 
of  his  grace,  which  he  freely  bestowed  on  us  in  the 
Beloved:  in  whom  we  have  our  redemption  through 
his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of  our  trespasses,  according 
to  the  riches  of  his  grace,  which  he  made  to  abound 
toward  us  in  all  wisdom  and  prudence,  making  known 
unto  us  the  mystery  of  his  will,  according  to  his  good 
pleasure  which  he  purposed  in  him  unto  a  dispensation 
of  the  fulness  of  the  times,  to  sum  up  all  things  in 
Christ,  the  things  in  the  heavens,  and  the  things  upon 
the  earth;  in  him,  I  say,  in  v/hom  also  we  were  made  a 
heritage,  having  been  foreordained  according  to  the 
purpose  of  him  who  worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel 
of  his  will ;  to  the  end  that  we  should  be  unto  the  praise 
of  his  glory,  we  who  had  before  hoped  in  Christ:  in 


(i)It  is  probable  that  this  letter  was  sent  from  Rome  to  all  the 
churches  of  the  province  of  Asia.  At  the  same  time  Paul  sent  a 
special  letter  to  Colosse  and  a  private  note  to  Philemon.  Tychicus 
and  Onesimus  were  his  messengers. 

173 


174  CHRIST'S  GLORIOUS  SUPREMACY 

whom  ye  also,  having  heard  the  word  of  the  truth, 
the  gospel  of  your  salvation, — in  whom,  having  also 
believed,  ye  were  sealed  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of  prom- 
ise, which  is  an  earnest  of  our  inheritance,  unto  the 
redemption  of  God's  own  possession,  unto  the  praise 
of  his  glory. 

Christ's  Glorious  Supremacy. 

For  this  cause  I  also,  having  heard  of  the  faith  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  which  is  among  you,  and  the  love  which 
ye  show  toward  all  the  saints,  cease  not  to  give  thanks 
for  you,  making  mention  of  you  in  my  prayers;  that 
the  God  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  glory, 
may  give  unto  you  a  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation  in 
the  knowledge  of  him;  having  the  eyes  of  your  heart 
enlightened,  that  ye  may  know  what  is  the  hope  of 
his  calling,  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  inher- 
itance in  the  saints,  and  what  the  exceeding  greatness 
of  his  power  to  us-ward  who  believe,  according  to  that 
working  of  the  strength  of  his  might  which  he  wrought 
in  Christ,  when  he  raised  him  from  the  dead,  and  made 
him  to  sit  at  his  right  hand  in  the  heavenly  places,  far 
above  all  rule,  and  authority, and  power,  and  dominion, 
and  every  name  that  is  named,  not  only  in  this  world, 
but  also  in  that  which  is  to  come:  and  he  put  all  things 
in  subjection  under  his  feet,  and  gave  him  to  be  head 
over  all  things  to  the  church,  which  is  his  body,  the 
fulness  of  him  that  filleth  all  in  all. 

The  Dead  Made  Alive. 

And  you  did  he  make  alive,  when  ye  were  dead 
through  your  trespasses  and  sins,  wherein  ye  once 
walked  according  to  the  course  of  this  world,  according 
to  the  prince  of  the  powers  of  the  air,  of  the  spirit  that 
now  worketh  in  the  sons  of  disobedience;  among  whom 


THE   GENTILES   MADE   NIGH  175 

we  also  all  once  lived  in  the  lusts  of  our  flesh,  doing  the 
desires  of  the  flesh  and  of  the  mind,  and  were  by  nature 
children  of  wrath,  even  as  the  rest: — but  God,  being 
rich  in  mercy,  for  his  great  love  wherewith  he  loved  us, 
even  when  we  were  dead  through  our  trespasses, 
made  us  alive  together  with  Christ  (by  grace  have 
ye  been  saved),  and  raised  us  up  with  him,  and  made 
us  to  sit  with  him  in  the  heavenly  places,  in  Christ 
Jesus:  that  in  the  ages  to  come  he  might  show  the  ex- 
ceeding riches  of  his  grace  in  kindness  toward  us  in 
Christ  Jesus:  for  by  grace  have  ye  been  saved  through 
faith;  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God; 
not  of  works,  that  no  man  should  glory.  For  we  are  his 
workmanship,  created  in  Christ  Jesus  for  good  works, 
which  God  afore  prepared  that  we  should  walk  in  them. 

The  Gentiles  Made  Nigh. 

Wherefore  remember,  that  once  ye,  the  Gentiles  in 
the  flesh,  who  are  called  Uncircumcision  by  that  which 
is  called  Circumcision,  in  the  flesh,  made  by  hands; 
that  ye  were  at  that  time  separate  from  Christ,  alien- 
ated from  the  commonwealth  of  Israel,  and  strangers 
from  the  covenants  of  the  promise,  having  no  hope  and 
without  God  in  the  world. 

But  now  in  Christ  Jesus  ye  that  once  were  far  off 
are  made  nigh  in  the  blood  of  Christ.  For  he  is  our 
peace,  who  made  both  one,  and  brake  down  the  middle 
wall  of  partition,  having  abolished  in  his  flesh  the 
enmity,  even  the  law  of  commandments  contained  in 
ordinances;  that  he  might  create  in  himself  of  the 
two  one  new  man,  so  making  peace;  and  might  recon- 
cile them  both  in  one  body  unto  God  through  the  cross, 
having  slain  the  enmity  thereby:  and  he  came  and 
preached  peace  to  you  that  were  far  off,  and  peace  to 
them  that  were  nigh:  for  through  him  we  both  have 
our  access  in  one  Spirit  unto  the  Father. 


176  the  aliens  made  citizens 

The  Aliens  Made  Citizens. 

So  then  ye  are  no  more  strangers  and  sojourners,  but 
ye  are  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  and  of  the  house- 
hold of  God,  being  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the 
apostles  and  prophets,  Christ  Jesus  himself  being  the 
chief  corner  stone;  in  whom  each  several  building, 
fitly  framed  together,  groweth  into  a  holy  temple  in 
the  Lord;  in  whom  ye  also  are  builded  together  for  a 
habitation  of  God  in  the   Spirit. 

The  Universal  Gospel. 

For  thi^  cause  I  Paul,  the  prisoner  of  Christ  Jesus 
in  behalf  of  you  Gentiles, — if  so  be  that  ye  have  heard 
of  the  dispensation  of  that  grace  of  God  which  was 
given  me  to  you-ward;  how  that  by  revelation  was 
made  known  unto  me  the  mystery,  as  I  wrote  before 
in  few  words,  whereby,  when  ye  read,  ye  can  perceive 
my  understanding  in  the  mystery  of  Christ;  which  in 
other  generations  was  not  made  known  unto  the  sons 
of  men,  as  it  hath  now  been  revealed  unto  his  holy 
apostles  and  prophets  in  the  spirit;  to  wit,  that  the 
Gentiles  are  fellow-heirs,  and  fellow-members  of  the 
body,  and  fellow  partakers  of  the  promise  in  Christ 
Jesus  through  the  gospel,  whereof  I  was  made  a  min- 
ister, according  to  the  gift  of  that  grace  of  God  which 
was  given  me  according  to  the  working  of  his  power. 

The  Apostle  to  the  Gentiles. 

Unto  me  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints, 
was  this  grace  given,  to  preach  unto  the  Gentiles  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ;  and  to  make  all  men 
see  what  is  the  dispensation  of  the  mystery  which  for 
ages  hath  been  hid  in  God  who  created  all  things;  to 
the  intent  that  now  unto  the  principalities  and  the 


A  PRAYER  FOR  FULNESS  l77 

powers  in  the  heavenly  places  might  be  made  known 
through  the  church  the  manifold  wasdom  of  God,  ac- 
cording to  the  eternal  purpose  which  he  purposed  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord:, in  whom  we  have  boldness  and 
access  in  confidence  through  our  faith  in  him.  Where- 
fore I  ask  that  ye  may  not  faint  at  my  tribulations  for 
you,  which  are  your  glory. 

A  Prayer  for  Fulness. 

For  this  cause  I  bow  my  knees  unto  the  Father, 
from  whom  every  family  in  heaven  and  on  earth  is 
named,  that  he  would  grant  you,  according  to  the 
riches  of  his  glory,  that  ye  may  be  strengthened  with 
power  through  his  Spirit  in  the  inward  man;  that 
Christ  may  dwell  in  your  hearts  through  faith;  to  the 
end  that  ye,  being  rooted  and  grounded  in  love,  may 
be  strong  to  apprehend  with  all  the  saints  what  is  the 
breadth  and  length  and  height  and  depth,  and  to  know 
the  love  of  Christ  which  passeth  knowledge,  that  ye 
may  be  filled  unto  all  the  fulness  of  God. 

DOXOLOGY. 

Now  unto  him  that  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundant- 
ly above  all  that  we  ask  or  think,  according  to  the 
power  that  worketh  in  us,  unto  him  be  the  glory  in  the 
church  and  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  all  generations  forever 
and  ever.     Amen. 

Living  Worthy  of  Such  Calling. 

I  therefore,  the  prisoner  in  the  Lord,  beseech  you  to 
walk  worthily  of  the  calling  wherewith  ye  were  called, 
with  all  lowliness  and  meekness,  with  longsuflfering, 
forbearing  one  another  in  love;  giving  diligence  to  keep 
the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace. 


178  the  unity  of  the  church 

The  Unity  of  the  Church. 

There  is  one  body,  and  one  Spirit,  even  as  also  ye 
were  called  in  one  hope  of  your  calling;  one  Lord,  one 
faith,  one  baptism,  one  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is 
over  all,  and  through  all,  and  in  all. 

But  unto  each  one  of  us  was  the  grace  given  accord- 
ing to  the  measure  of  the  gift  of  Christ.  Wherefore 
he  saith, 

"When   he   ascended    on    high,    he   led    captivity 
captive, 
And  gave  gifts  unto  men." 

(Now  this,  "He  ascended,"  what  is  it  but  that  he 
also  descended  into  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth?  He 
that  descended  is  the  same  also  that  ascended  far  above 
all  the  heavens,  that  he  might  fill  all  things.) 

And  he  gave  some  to  be  apostles;  and  some,  prophets; 
and  some,  evangelists;  and  soine,  pastors  and  teachers; 
for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  unto  the  work  of  min- 
istering, unto  the  building  up  of  the  body  of  Christ: 
till  we  all  attain  unto  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God.  unto  a  fullgrown  man, 
unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ : 
that  we  may  be  no  longer  children,  tossed  to  and  fro 
and  carried  about  ^vith  every  wind  of  dofctrine,  by  the 
sleight  of  men,  in  craftiness,  after  the  wiles  of  error; 
but  speaking  truth  in  love,  may  grow  up  in  all  things 
into  him,  who  is  the  head,  even  Christ;  from  whom  all 
the  body  fitly  framed  and  knit  together  through  that 
which  every  joint  supplieth,  according  to  the  working 
in  due  measure  of  each  several  part,  maketh  .the  in- 
crease of  the  body  unto  the  building  up  of  itself  in  love. 

The  Old  Wrong  Life. 

This  I  say  therefore,  and  testify  in  the  Lord,  that 
ye  no    longer  walk  as  the  Gentiles  also  walk,  in  the 


THE   NEW  RIGHT  LIFE  179 

vanity  of  their  mind,  being  darkened  in  their  under- 
standing, aHenated  from  the  life  of  God,  because  of 
the  ignorance  that  is  in  them,  because  of  the  hardening 
of  their  heart;  who  being  past  feeling,  gave  them- 
selves up  to  lasciviousness,  to  work  all  uncleanness 
with  greediness. 

The  New  Right  Life. 

But  ye  did  not  so  learn  Christ ;  if  so  be  that  ye  heard 
him,  and  were  taught  in  him,  even  as  truth  is  in  Jesus: 
that  ye  put  away,  as  concerning  your  former  manner 
of  life,  the  old  man,  that  waxeth  corrupt  after  the  lusts 
of  deceit;  and  that  ye  be  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  your 
mind,  and  put  on  the  new  man,  that  after  God  hath 
been  created  in  righteousness  and  holiness  of  truth. 

Falsehood,  Anger,  Theft. 

Wherefore,  putting  away  falsehood,  speak  ye  truth 
each  one  with  his  neighbor:  for  we  are  members  one 
of  another. 

Be  ye  angry,  and  sin  not:  let  not  the  sun  go  down 
upon  your  wrath:  neither  give  place  to  the  devil. 

Let  him  that  stole  steal  no  more:  but  rather  let  him 
labor,  working  with  his  hands  the  thing  that  is  good, 
that  he  may  have  whereof  to  give  to  him  that  hath 
need. 

Evil  Speech  and  Bitterness. 

Let  no  corrupt  speech  proceed  out  of  your  mouth, 
but  such  as  is  good  for  edifying  as  the  need  may  be, 
that  it  may  give  grace  to  them  that  hear.  And  grieve 
not  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  in  whom  ye  were  sealed 
unto  the  day  of  redempt  on. 

Let  all  bitterness,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and  clamor, 
and  railing,  be  put  away  from  you,  with  all  malice: 


180  god's  example  of  love 

and  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tenderhearted,  forgiving 
each  other,  even  as  God  also  in  Christ  forgave  you. 

God'3  Example  of  Love. 

Be  ye  therefore  imitators  of  God,  as  beloved  children; 
and  walk  in  love,  even  as  Christ  also  loved  you,  and 
gave  himself  up  for  us,  an  offering  and  a  sacrifice  to 
God  for  an  odor  of  a  sweet  smell. 

The  Sins  of  Impurity. 

But  fornication,  and  all  uncleanness,  or  covetous- 
ness,  let  it  not  even  be  named  among  you,  as  becometh 
saints;  nor  filthiness,  nor  foolish  talking,  or  jesting, 
which  are  not  befitting:  but  rather  giving  of  thanks. 

For  this  ye  know  of  a  surety,  that  no  fornicator,  nor 
unclean  person,  nor  covetous  man,  who  is  an  idolater, 
hath  any  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ  and 
God.  Let  no  man  deceive  you  with  empty  words: 
for  because  of  these  things  cometh  the  wrath  of  God 
upon  the  sons  of  disobedience. 

Be  not  ye  therefore  partakers  with  them;  for  ye 
were  once  darkness,  but  are  now  light  in  the  Lord: 
walk  as  children  of  light  (for  the  fruit  of  the  light  is 
in  all  goodness  and  righteousness  and  truth),  proving 
what  is  well-pleasing  unto  the  Lord;  and  have  no  fel- 
lowship with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but 
rather  even  reprove  them;  for  the  things  which  are 
done  by  them  in  secret  it  is  a  shame  even  to  speak  of. 

But  all  things  when  they  are  reproved  are  made 
manifest  by  the  light:  for  everything  that  is  made 
manifest  is  light.      Wherefore  he  saith, 

"Awake,  thou  that  sleepest. 

And  arise  from  the  dead, 

And  Christ  shah  shine  upon  thee." 


wisdom  axd  entpiusiasm-  181 

Wisdom  and  Enthusiasm. 

Look  therefore  carefully  how  ye  walk,  not  as  unwise, 
but  as  wise;  redeeming  the  time,  because  the  days 
are  evil.  Wherefore  be  ye  not  foolish,  but  understand 
what  thfe  will  of  the  Lord  is. 

And  be  not  drunken  with  wine,  wherein  is  riot,  but 
be  filled  with  the  Spirit;  speaking  one  to  another  in 
psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  and 
making  melody  with  your  heart  to  the  Lord;  giving 
thanks  always  for  all  things  in  the  name  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  to  God,  even  the  Father;  subjecting  your- 
selves one  to  another  in  the  fear  of  Christ. 

Christian  Wives. 

Wives,  be  in  subjection  unto  your  own  husbands,  as 
unto  the  Lord.  For  the  husband  is  the  head  of  the  wife 
as  Christ  also  is  the  head  of  the  church,  being  himself, 
the  saviour  of  the  body.  But  as  the  church  is  subject 
to  Christ,  so  let  the  wives  also  be  to  their  husbands  in 
everything. 

Christian  Husbands. 

Husbands,  love  your  wives,  even  as  Christ  also  loved 
the  church,  and  gave  himself  up  for  it;  that  he  might 
sanctify  it,  having  cleansed  it  by  the  washing  of  water 
with  the  word,  that  he  might  present  the  church  to 
himself  a  glorious  church,  not  having  spot  or  wrinkle 
or  any  such  thing;  but  that  it  should  be  holy  and  with- 
out blemish.  Even  so  ought  husbands  also  to  love 
their  own  w4ves  as  their  own  bodies. 

He  that  loveth  his  own  wife  loveth  himself:  for  no 
man  ever  hated  his  own  flesh;  but  nourisheth  and 
cherisheth  it,  even  as  Christ  also  the  church;  because 
we  are  members  of  his  body.  For  this  cause  shall  a 
man  leave  his  father  and  mother,  and  shall  cleave  to 


182  CHRISTIAN  CHILDREN 

his  wife;  and  the  two  shall  become  one  flesh.  This 
mystery  is  great:  but  I  speak  in  regard  of  Christ  and 
of  the  church.  Nevertheless  do  ye  also  severally 
love  each  one  his  own  wife  even  as  himself;  and  let  the 
wife  see  that  she  fear  her  husband. 

Christian  Children. 

Children,  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord:  for  this  is 
right.  Honor  thy  father  and  mother  (which  is  the 
first  commandment  with  promise),  that  it  may  be 
well  with  thee,  and  thou  mayest  live  long  on  the  earth. 

Christian  Fathers. 

And,  ye  fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to  wrath: 
but  nurture  them  in  the  chastening  and  admonition 
of  the  Lord. 

Christian  Employees. 

Servants,  be  obedient  unto  them  that  according  to 
the  flesh  are  your  masters,  with  fear  and  trembling, 
in  singleness  of  your  heart,  as  unto  Christ;  not  in  the 
way  of  eyeservice,  as  menpleasers;  but  as  servants  of 
Christ,  doing  the  v/ill  of  God  from  the  heart;  with 
good  will  doing  service,  as  unto  the  Lord,  and  not  unto 
inen:  knowing  that  whatsoever  good  thing  each  one 
doeth,  the  same  shall  he  receive  again  from  the  Lord, 
whether  he  be  bond  or  free. 

Christian  Employers. 

And,  ye  masters,  do  the  same  things  unto  them,  and 
forbear  threatening:  knowing  that  he  who  is  both 
their  Master  and  yours  is  in  heaven,  and  there  is  no 
respect  of  persons  with  him. 


the  paxoply  of  god  183 

The  Panoply  of  God. 

Finally,  be  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  strength 
of  his  might. 

Put  on  the  whole  armor  of  God,  that  ye  may  be  able 
to  stand  against  the  wiles  of  the  devil.  For  our 
wrestling  is  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  the 
principalities,  against  the  powers,  against  the  world-, 
rulers  of  this  darkness,  against  the  spiritual  hosts  of 
wickedness  in  the  heavenly  places.  Wherefore  take 
up  the  whole  armor  of  God,  that  ye  may  be  able  to 
withstand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having  done  all,  to 
stand. 

Stand  therefore,  having  girded  your  loins  with  truth, 
and  having  put  on  the  breastplate  of  righteousness, 
and  having  shod  your  feet  with  the  preparation  of 
the  gospel  of  peace;  withal  taking  up  the  shield  of 
faith,  wherewith  ye  shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the 
fiery  darts  of  the  evil  one. 

And  take  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God:  with  all  prayer 
and  supplication  praying  at  all  seasons  in  the  Spirit, 
and. watching  thereunto  in  all  perseverance  and  sup- 
plication for  all  the  saints,  and  on  my  behalf,  that 
utterance  may  be  given  unto  me  in  opening  my  mouth, 
to  make  known  with  boldness  the  mystery  of  the 
gospel,  for  which  I  am  an  ambassador  in  chains;  that 
in  it  I  may  speak  boldly,  as  I  ought  to  speak. 

Commendation  of  the  Messenger. 

But  that  ye  also  may  know  my  affairs,  how  I  do, 
Tychicus,  the  beloved  brother  and  faithful  minister 
in  the  Lord,  shall  make  known  to  you  all  things:  whom 
I  have  sent  unto  you  for  this  very  purpose,  that  ye 
may  know  our  state,  and  that  he  may  comfort  your 
hearts. 


184  thanksgiving  for  the  church 

Pp:ace  be  to  the  brethren,  and  love  with  faith. 

FROM  God  the  Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus 

Christ.    Grace  be  with  all  them  that 

love    our    Lord    Jesus     Christ 

with  a  love  incorruptible. 


LETTER  TO  THE  COLOSSIANS.^ 

PAUL,  AN  apostle  OF  CHRIST  JESUS  THROUGH  THE 
WILL  OF  GOD,  AND  TIMOTHY  OUR  BROTHER,  TO  THE 
SAINTS  AND  FAITHFUL  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST  THAT 
ARE    AT    COLOSSAE:    GRACE    TO    VOU    AND    PEACE    FROM 

god  our  father. 

Thanksgiving  for  the  Church. 

We  give  thanks  to  God  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  praying  always  for  you,  having  heard  of  your 
faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  of  the  love  which  ye  have 
toward  all  the  saints,  because  of  the  hope  which  is  laid 
up  for  3^ou  in  the  heavens,  whereof  ye  heard  before  in 
the  word  of  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  which  is  come  unto 
you;  even  as  it  is  also  in  all  the  world  bearing  fruit 
and  increasing,  as  it  doth  in  you  also,  since  the  day  ye 
heard  and  knew  the  grace  of  God  in  truth;  even  as  ye 
learned  of  Epaphras  our  beloved  fellow-servant,  who  is 
a  faithful  minister  of  Christ  on  our  Ijchalf,  who  also 
declared  unto  us  your  love  in  the  Spirit. 


(*)See  note  on  Ephe.'^ians 


THE   PRE-EMIXEX-CE   OF  CHRIST  185 

The  Pre-ExMINence  of  Christ. 

For  this  cause  we  also,  since  the  day  we  heard  it, 
do  not  cease  to  pray  and  make  request  for  you,  that 
ye  may  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  his  will  in  all 
spiritual  wisdom  and  understanding,  to  walk  worthily 
of  the  Lord  unto  all  pleasing,  bearing  fruit  in  every 
good  work,  and  increasing  in  the  knowledge  of  God; 
strengthened  with  all  power,  according  to  the  might  of 
his  glor)^  unto  all  patience  and  longsuffering  with 
joy;  giving  thanks  unto  the  Father,  who  made  us  meet 
to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light; 
who  delivered  us  out  of  the  power  of  darkness,  and 
translated  us  into  the  kingdom  of  the  Son  of  his  love; 
in  whom  we  have  our  redemption,  the  forgiveness  of 
our  sins:  who  is  the  image  of  the  invisible  God,  the 
firstborn  of  all  creation;  for  in  him  were  all  things 
created,  in  the  heavens  and  upon  the  earth,  things 
visible  and  things  invisible,  whether  thrones  or  do- 
minions or  principalities  or  powers;  all  things  have 
been  created  through  him,  and  unto  him;  and  he  is 
before  all  things,  and  in  him  all  things  consist. 

And  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church:  who  is 
the  beginning,  the  firstborn  from  the  dead;  that  in  all 
things  he  might  have  the  preeminence. 

For  it  was  the  good  pleasure  of  the  Father  that  in 
him  should  all  the  fulness  dwell;  and  through  him  to 
reconcile  all  things  unto  himself,  having  made  peace 
through  the  blood  of  his  cross;  through  him,  I  say, 
whether  things  upon  the  earth,  or  things  in  the  heavens. 

The  Gospel  of  Reconcili.\tiox. 

And  you,  being  in  time  past  alienated  and  enemies 
in  your  mind  in  your  evil  works,  yet  now  hath  he 
reconciled  in  the  body  of  his  flesh  through  death,  to 
present  you  holy  and  without  blemish  and  unreprova- 


186  THE   MISSIOxV   OF  THE   APOSTLE 

ble  before  him:  if  so  be  that  ye  continue  in  the  faith, 
grounded  and  stedfast,  and  not  moved  away  from  the 
hope  of  the  gospel  which  ye  heard,  which  was  preached 
in  all  creation  under  heaven;  whereof  I  Paul  was  made 
a  minister. 

The  Mission  of  the  Apostle. 

Now  I  rejoice  in  my  sufferings  for  your  sake,  and  fill 
up  on  my  part  that  which  is  lacking  of  the  afflictions 
of  Christ  in  my  flesh  for  his  body's  sake,  which  is  the 
church;  whereof  I  was  made  a  minister,  according  to 
the  dispensation  of  God  which  was  given  me  to  you- 
ward,  to  fulfil  the  word  of  God,  even  the  mystery 
which  hath  been  hid  for  ages  and  generations :  but  now 
hath  it  been  manifested  to  his  saints,  to  whom  God 
was  pleased  to  make  known  what  is  the  riches  of  the 
glory  of  this  mystery  among  the  Gentiles,  which  is 
Christ  in  you,  the  hope  of  glory:  whom  we  proclaim, 
admonishing  every  man  and  teaching  every  man  in 
all  wisdom,  that  we  m?.y  present  every  man  perfect 
in  Christ;  whereunto  I  labor  also,  striving  according 
to  his  working,  which  worketh  in  me  mightily 

Interest  in  the  Churches. 

For  I  would  have  you  know  how  greatly  I  strive  for 
you,  and  for  them  at  Laodicea,  and  for  as  many  as 
have  not  seen  my  face  in  the  flesh;  that  their  hearts 
may  be  comforted,  they  being  knit  together  in  love, 
and  unto  all  riches  of  the  full  assurance  of  understand- 
ing, that  they  may  know  the  mystery  of  God,  even 
Christ,  in  whom  are  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and 
knowledge  hidden. 

This  I  say,  that  no  one  may  delude  you  with  per- 
suasiveness of  speech.  For  though  I  am  absent  in  the 
flesh,  yet  am  I  with  you  in  the  spirit,  joying  and  be- 


DANGER  OF   VAIN   PHILOSOPHY  187 

holding  your  order,  and  the  stedfastness  of  your  faith 
in  Christ. 

As  therefore  ye  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  so 
walk  in  him,  rooted  and  builded  up  in  him,  and  estab- 
lished in  your  faith,  even'  as  ye  were  taught,  abounding- 
in  thanksgiving. 

Danger  of  Vain  Philosophy. 

Take  heed  lest  there  shall  be  any  one  that  maketh 
spoil  of  you  through  his  philosophy  and  vain  deceit, 
after  the  tradition  of  men,  after  the  rudiments  of  the 
world,  and  not  after  Christ:  for  in  him  dwelleth  all  the 
fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily,  and  in  him  ye  are  made 
full,  who  is  the  head  of  all  principality  and  power: 
in  whom  ye  were  also  circumcised  with  a  circum- 
cision not  made  with  hands,  in  the  putting  off  of 
the  body  of  the  flesh,  in  the  circumcision  of  Christ; 
having  been  buried  with  him  in  baptism,  wherein  ye 
were  also  raised  with  him  through  faith  in  the  working 
of  Gk)d,  who  raised  him  from  the  dead. 

And  you,  being  dead  through  your  trespasses  and 
the  uncircumcision  of  your  flesh,  you,  I  say,  did  he 
make  alive  together  with  him,  having  forgiven  us  all 
our  trespfasses;  having  blotted  out  the  bond  written 
in  ordinances  that  was  against  us,  which  was  contrary 
to  us:  and  he  hath  taken  it  out  of  the  way,  nailing  it 
to  the  cross;  having  despoiled  the  principalities  and  the 
powers,  he  made  a  show  of  them  openly,  triumphing 
over  them  in  it. 

False   Doctrines  and  Practices. 

Let  no  man  therefore  judge  you  in  meat,  or  in  drink, 
or  in  respect  of  a  feast  day  or  a  new  moon  or  a  sabbath 
day:  which  are  a  shadow  of  the  things  to  come;  but 
the  body  is  Christ's. 


188  CHRIST  OUR  LIFE 

Let  no  man  rob  you  of  your  prize  by  a  voluntary 
humility  and  worshipping  of  the  angels,  dwelling  in 
the  things  which  he  hath  seen,  vainly  puffed  up  by  his 
fleshly  mind,  and  not  holding  fast  the  Head,  from 
whom  all  the  body,  being  supplied  and  knit  together 
through  the  joints  and  bands,  increaseth  with  the  in- 
crease of  God. 

If  ye  died  with  Christ  from  the  rudiments  of  the 
world,  why,  as  though  living  in  the  world,  do  ye  sub- 
ject yourselves  to  ordinances,  "Handle  not,  nor  taste, 
nor  touch"  (all  which  things  are  to  perish  with  the 
using),  after  the  precepts  and  doctrines  of  men? 
Which  things  have  indeed  a  show  of  wisdom  in  will- 
worship,  and  humility,  and  severity  to  the  body;  but 
are  not  of  any  value  against  the  indulgence  of  the  flesh. 

Christ  our  Life. 

If  then  ye  were  raised  together  with  Christ,  seek 
the  things  that  are  above,  where  Christ  is,  seated  on 
the  right  hand  of  God.  Set  your  mind  on  the  things 
that  are  above,  not  on  the  things  that  are  upon  the 
earth.  For  ye  died,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ 
in  God.  When  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  be  man- 
ifested, then  shall  ye  also  with  him  be  manifested  in 
glory. 

Sins  to   be  Destroyed. 

Put  to  death  therefore  your  members  which  are 
upon  the  earth:  fornication,  uncleanness,  passion,  evil 
desire,  and  covetousness,  which  is  idolatry;  for  which 
things'  sake  cometh  the  wrath  of  God  upon  the  sons  ol 
disobedience:  wherein  ye  also  once  walked,  when  ye 
lived  in  these  things;  but  now  do  ye  also  put  them  all 
away:  anger,  wrath,  mahce,  raiHng,  shameful  speaking 
out  of  your  mouth:  lie  not  one  to  another;  seeing  that 
ye  have  put  off  the  old  man  with  his  doings,  and  have 


THE   CHRISTIAN  VIRTUES  189 

put  on  the  new  man,  that  is  being  renewed  unto 
knowledge  after  the  image  of  him  that  created  him: 
where  there  cannot  be  Greek  and  Jew,  circumcision 
and  uncircumcision,  barbarian,  Scythian,  bondman, 
freeman;  but  Christ  is  all,  and  in  all. 

The  Christian  Virtues. 

Put  on  therefore,  as  God's  elect,  holy  and  beloved, 
a  heart  of  compassion,  kindness,  lowliness,  meekness, 
longsuffering ;  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgi  ing 
each  other,  if  any  man  have  a  complaint  against  any ; 
even  as  the  Lord  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye :  and  above 
all  these  things  put  on  love,  which  is  the  bond  of  per- 
fectness. 

And  let  the  peace  of  Christ  rule  in  your  hearts, 
to  the  which  also  ye  were  called  in  one  body ;  and  be  ye 
thankful.  Let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly; 
in  all  wisdom  teaching  and  admonishing  one  another 
Vvdth  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  with 
grace  in  your  hearts  unto  God.  And  whatsoever  ye 
do,  in  word  or  in  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  giving  thanks  to  God  the  Father  through    him. 

The  Relatioi^'s  of  Life. 

Wives,  be  in  subjection  to  your  husbands,  as  is 
fitting  in  the  Lord.  Husbands,  love  your  wives,  and 
be  not  bitter  against  them. 

Children,  obey  your  parents  in  all  things,  for  this  is 
well-pleasing  in  the  Lord.  Fathers,  provoke  not  your 
children,  that  they  be  not  discouraged. 

Servants,  obey  in  all  things  them  that  are  your 
masters  according  to  the  flesh;  not  with  eye-service, 
as  men-pleasers,  but  in  singleness  of  heart,  fearing 
the  Lord:  whatsoever  ye  do,  work  heartily,  as  unto 
the  Lord,  and  not  unto  men;  knowing  that  from  the 


190  PRATER  AND  THANKSGIVING 

Lord  ye  shall  receive  the  recompense  of  the  inheritance : 
ye  serve  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  For  he  that  doeth 
wrong  shall  receive  again  for  the  wrong  that  he  hath 
done:  and  there  is  no  respect  of  persons. 

Masters,  render  unto  your  servants  that  which  is 
just  and  equal;  knowing  that  ye  also  have  a  master  in 
heaven. 

Prayer  and  Thanksgiving. 

Continue  stedfastly  in  prayer,  watching  therein 
with  thanksgiving;  withal  praying  for  us  also,  that 
God  may  open  unto  us  a  door  for  the  word,  to  speak 
the  mystery  of  Christ,  for  which  I  am  also  in  bonds; 
that  I  may  make  it  manifest,  as  I  ought  to  speak. 

Wisdom  in  Word  and  Work. 

Walk  in  wisdom  toward  them  that  are  without, 
redeeming  the  time.  Let  your  speech  be  always  with 
grace,  seasoned  with  salt,  that  ye  may  know  how  ye 
ought  to  answer  each  one. 

Commendation  of  the  Messengers. 

All  my  affairs  shall  Tychicus  make  known  unto  you, 
the  beloved  brother  and  faithful  minister  and  fellow- 
servant  in  the  Lord:  whom  I  have  sent  unto  you  for 
this  very  purpose,  that  ye  may  know  our  state,  and 
that  he  may  comfort  your  hearts;  together  with 
Onesimus,  the  faithful  and  beloved  brother,  who  is 
one  of  you.  They  shall  make  known  unto  you  all 
things  that  are  done  here. 

Salutations  from  Friends. 

Aristarchus  my  fellow-prisoner  saluteth  you,  and 
Mark,  the  cousin  of-  Barnabas  (touching  whom  ye 
received  commandments;  if  he  come  unto  you,  receive 


SALUTATIONS  TO  THE   LAODICEANS  191 

him),  and  Jesus  that  is  called  Justus,  who  are  of  the 
circumcision :  these  only  are  my  fellow-workers  unto 
the  kingdom  of  God,  men  that  have  been  a  comfort 
unto  me. 

Epaphras,  who  is  one  of  you,  a  servant  of  Christ 
Jesus,  saluteth  you,  always  striving  for  you  in  his 
prayers,  that  ye  may  stand  perfect  and  fully  assured 
in  all  the  will  of  God.  For  I  bear  him  witness,  that  he 
hath  much  labor  for  you,  and  for  them  in  Laodicea,  and 
for  them  in  Hierapolis.  Luke,  the  beloved  physician, 
and  Demas  salute  you. 

Salutations  to  the  Laodiceans. 

Salute  the  brethren  that  are  in  Laodicea,  and 
Nymphas,  and  the  church  that  is  in  their  house. 

And  when  this  epistle  hath  been  read  among  you, 
cause  that  it  be  read  also  in  the  church  of  the  Lao- 
diceans; and  that  ye  also  read  the  epistle  from  Lao- 
dicea. 

And  say  to  Archippus,  "Take  heed  to  the  ministry 
which  thou  hast  received  in  the  Lord,  that  thou  fulfil  it." 

Autograph  Salutation. 

The  salutation  of  me  PAUL  with  mine  own  hand. 
Remember  my  bonds. 

Grace  Be  with  You. 


LETTER  TO  PHILEMON.^ 

paul,  a  prisoner  of  christ  jesus,  and  timothy 
our  brother,  to  philemon  our  beloved  and 
fellow-worker,  and  to  apphia  our  sister,  and 
to  archippus  our  fellow-soldier,  and  to  the 
church  in  thy  house!  grace  to  you  and  peace 
from  god  our  father  and  the  lord  jesus  christ. 

Thanksgiving  for  Philemon. 

I  thank  my  God  always,  making  mention  of  thee  in 
my  prayers,  hearing  of  thy  love,  and  of  the  faith  which 
thou  hast  toward  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  toward  all  the 
saints;  that  the  fellowship  of  thy  faith  may  become 
effectual,  in  the  knowledge  of  every  good  thing  which 
is  in  you,  unto  Christ.  For  I  had  much  joy  and  com- 
fort in  thy  love,  because  the  hearts  of  the  saints  have 
been  refreshed  through  thee,  brother. 

Commendation  of  the  Repentant  Slave. 

Wherefore,  though  I  have  all  boldness  in  Christ  to 
enjoin  thee  that  which  is  befitting,  yet  for  love's  sake 
I  rather  beseech,  being  such  a  one  as  Paul  the  aged,  and 
now  a  prisoner  also  of  Christ  Jesus:  I  beseech  thee  for 
my  child,  whom  I  have  begotten  in  my  bonds,  Onesimus, 
v/ho  once  was  unprofitable  to  thee,  but  now  is  profitable 
to  thee  and  to  me:  whom  I  have  sent  back  to  thee  in 
his  own  person,  that  is,  my  very  heart:  whom  I  would 
fain  have  kept  with  me,  that  in  thy  behalf  he  might 
minister  unto  me  in  the  bonds  of  the  gospel:  but 
without  thy  mind  I  would  do  nothing;  that  thy  good- 
ness should  not  be  as  of  necessity,  but  of  free  will. 

For  perhaps  he  was  therefore  parted  from  thee  for  a 


(^See  note  on  Ephesians. 

192 


PERSONAL  EXTREATV  193 

season,  that  thou  shouldst  have  him  for  ever;  no 
onger  as  a  servant,  but  more  than  a  servant,  a  brother 
beloved,  specially  to  me,  but  how  much  rather  to  thee, 
both  in  the  flesh  and  in  the  Lord. 

Personal  Entreaty. 

If  then  thou  countest  me  a  partner,  receive  him  as 
myself.  But  if  he  hath  wronged  thee  at  all,  or  oweth 
thee  aught,  put  that  to  mine  account;  I  Paul  write  it 
with  mine  own  hand,  I  will  repay  it:  that  I  say  not 
unto  thee  that  thou  owest  to  me  even  thine  own  self 
besides  Yea,  brother,  let  me  have  joy  of  thee  in  the 
Lord:  refresh  my  heart  in  Christ. 

The  Hope  of  Release. 

Having  confidence  in  thine  obedience  I  write  unto 
thee,  knowing  that  thou  wilt  do  even  beyond  what  I 
say.  But  withal  prepare  me  also  a  lodging :  for  1  hope 
that  through  your  prayers  I  shall  be  granted  unto  you. 

vSalutations  from  Friends. 

Epaphras,  my  fellow-prisoner  in  Christ  Jesus,  sa- 
luteth  thee  and  so  do  Mark,  Aristarchus,  Demas,  Luke, 
my  fellow-workers. 

The  Grace  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with 
Your    Spirit.     Amen. 


FIRST  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY' 

PAUL,  AN  APOSTLE  OF  CHRIST  JESUS  ACCORDING  TO  THE 
COMMANDMENT  OF  GOD  OUR  SAVIOUR,  AND  CHRIST 
JESUS   OUR   hope;    UNTO   TIMOTHY,   MY  TRUE    CHILD  IN 

faith:     grace,     mercy,     peace,    from     god    the 
father  and  christ  jesus  our  lord. 

The  Office  of  Timothy. 

As  I  exhorted  thee  to  tarry  at  Ephesus,  when  I  was 
going  into  Macedonia,  that  thou  mightest  charge 
certain  men  not  to  teach  a  different  doctrine,  neither 
to  give  heed  to  fables  and  endless  genealogies,  which 
minister  questionings,  rather  than  a  dispensation  of 
God  which  is  in  faith;  so  do  I  now. 

The  Purpose  of  the  Law. 

But  the  end  of  the  charge  is  love  out  of  a  pure  heart 
and  a  good  conscience  and  faith  unfeigned :  from  which 
things  some  having  swerved  have  turned  aside  unto 
\'ain  talking;  desiring  to  be  teachers  of  the  law,  though 
the}'-  understand  neither  what  they  say,  nor  whereof 
they  confidently  affirm. 

But  we  know  that  the  law  is  good,  if  a  man  use  it 
lawfully,  as  knowing  this,  that  law  is  not  made  for  a 
righteous  man,  but  for  the  lawless  and  unruly,  for  the 
vmgodly  and  sinners,  for  the  unholy  and  profane,  for 
murderers  of  fathers  and  murderers  of  mothers,  for 
manslayers,  for  fornicators,  for  abusers  of  themselves 
vvith  men,  for  men-f-tealers,  for  liars,  for  false  swearers, 
and  if  there  be  any  other  thing  contrary  to  the  sound 


(')AcoordinR  to  ancient  traditif)n  Paul  war-  relea.sed  from  pri.son, 
visited  his  Ea.>^tern  Churche.s,  left  Timothy  in  charge  at  Ephesus, 
'J'itus  in  Crete  and  then  continued  his  missionary  labors.  This  letter 
may  have  been  written  to  Timothy  soon  after  Paul  had  left  him. 

194 


THANKSGIVING  FOR   DIVINE   GRACE  195 

doctrine;  according  to  the  gospel  of  the  glory  of  the 
blessed  God,  which  was  committed  to  my  trust. 

Thanksgiving  for  Divine  Grace. 

I  thank  him  that  enabled  me,  even  Christ  Jesus  our 
Lord,  for  that  he  counted  me  faithful,  appointing 
me  to  his  service;  though  I  was  before  a  blasphemer, 
and  a  persecutor,  and  injurious:  howbeit  I  obtained 
mercy,  because  I  did  it  ignorantly  in  unbelief;  and  the 
grace  of  our  Lord  abounded  exceedingly  with  faith  and 
-ove  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Faithful  is  the  saying,  and  worth\^of  all  acceptation, 
that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners; 
of  whom  I  am  chief:  howbeit  for  this  cause  I  obtained 
mercy,  that  in  me  as  chief  might  Jesus  Christ  show 
forth  all  his  longsuffering,  for  an  ensample  of  them 
that  s  ould  thereafter  believe  on  him  unto  eternal 
Hfe. 

Now  unto  the  King  eternal,  immortal,  invisible,  the 
only  God,  be  honor  and  glory  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

A  Charge  and  a  Warning. 

This  charge  I  commit  unto  thee,  my  child  Timothy, 
according  to  the  prophecies  which  led  the  way  to  thee, 
that  by  them  thou  may  est  war  the  good  warfare; 
holding  faith  and  a  good  conscience;  v/hich  some 
having  thrust  from  them  made  shipwreck  concerning 
the  faith:  of  whom  is  Hymenaeus  and  Alexander; 
whom  I  deHvered  unto  Satan,  that  they  might  be 
taught  not  to  blaspheme. 

The  Scope  of  Public  Prayer. 

I  exhort  therefore  first  of  all,  that  supplications, 
prayers,  intercessions,  thanksgivings,  be  made  for  all 
men;  for  kings  and  all  that  are  in  high  place;  that  we 


19G  THE   MANNER  OF   PUBLIC   PRAYER 

may  lead  a  tranquil  and  quiet  life  in  all  godliness  and 
gravity.  This  is  good  and  acceptable  in  the  sight 
of  God  our  Saviour;  who  would  have  all  men  to  be 
saved,  and  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

For  there  is  one  God,  one  mediator  also  between 
God  and  men,  himself  man,  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave 
himself  a  ransom  for  all ;  the  testimony  to  be  borne  in 
its  own  times;  whereunto  I  was  appointed  a  preacher 
and  an  apostle  (I  speak  the  truth,  I  lie  not),  a  teacher 
of  the  Gentiles  in  faith  and  truth. 

The  Manner  of  Public  Prayer. 

I  desire  tlicrefore  that  the  men  pray  in  every  place, 
lifting  tip  holy  hands,  without  wrath  and  disputing. 
In  like  manner,  that  women  adorn  themselves  in  modest 
apparel,  with  shamefastness  and  sobriety;  not  with 
braided  hair,  and  gold  or  pearls  or  costly  raiment;  but 
(which  becometh  women  professing  godliness) through 
good  works. 

Let  a  woman  learn  in  quietness  with  all  subjection. 
But  I  permit  not  a  woman  to  teach,  nor  to  have  do- 
minion over  a  man,  but  to  be  in  quietness.  For  Adam 
was  first  formed,  then  Eve ;  and  Adam  was  not  beguiled, 
but  the  woman  be'ng  beguiled  hath  fallen  into  trans- 
gression: but  she  shall  be  saved  through  her  child- 
bearing,  if  they  continue  in  faith  and  love  and  sanc- 
tification  with  sobriety. 

The  Office  of  Bishop. 

Faithful  is  the  saying,  "If  a  man  seeketh  the  office 
of  a  bishop,  he  desireth  a  good  work." 

The  bishop  therefore  must  be  without  reproach, 
the  husband  of  one  wife,  temperate,  sober-minded, 
orderly,  given  to  hospitality,  ;i])t  to  teach;  no  brawler, 
no  striker;   but  gentle,   not  couientious,   no  lover  of 


THE   OFFICE   CTF   DEACON  197 

money;  one  that  ruleth  well  his  own  house,  having 
his  children  in  subjection  with  all  gravity;  (but  if  a 
man  knoweth  not  how  to  rule  his  own  house,  how 
shall  he  take  care  of  the  church  of  God?)  not  a  novice, 
lest  being  puffed  up  he  fall  into  the  condemnation  of 
the  devil.  Moreover  he  must  have  good  testimony 
from  them  that  are  without;  lest  he  fall  into  reproach 
and  the  snare  of  the  devil. 

The  Office  of  Deacon. 

Deacons  in  like  manner  must  be  grave,  not  double- 
tongued,  not  given  to  much  wine,  not  greedy  of  filthy 
lucre;  holding  the  mystery  of  the  faith  in  a  pure  con- 
science. And  let  these  also  first  be  proved;  then  let 
them  serve  as  deacons,  if  they  be  blameless. 

Women  in  like  manner  must  be  grave,  not  slanderers, 
temperate,  faithful  in  all  things. 

Let  deacons  be  husbands  of  one  wife,  ruling  their 
children  and  their  own  houses  well.  For  they  that 
have  served  well  as  deacons  gain  to  themselves  a  good 
standing,  and  great  boldness  in  the  faith  which  is 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

The  Church  and  the  Truth. 

These  things  write  I  unto  thee,  hoping  to  come  unto 
thee  shortly,  but  if  I  tarry  long,  that  thou  mayrst  know 
how  men  ought  to  behave  themselves  in  the  house  of 
God,  which  is  the  church  of  the  living  God,  the  pillar 
and  ground  of  the  truth.  And  without  controversy 
great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness; 

"He  who  was  manifested  in  the  flesh, 
Justilied  in  the  spirit. 
Seen  of  angels, 
Preached  among  the  nations. 
Believed  on  in  the  world. 
Received  up  in  glory." 


198  foolish  false  teachings 

Foolish  False  Teachings. 

But  the  Spirit  saith  expressly,  that  "n  later  times 
some  shall  fa  1  away  from  the  faith,  giving  heed  to 
reducing  spirits  and  doctrines  of  demons,  through  the 
hypocrisy  of  men  that  speak  lies,  branded  in  their  own 
conscience  as  with  a  hot  iron;  forbidding  to  marry,  and 
commanding  to  abstain  from  meats,  which  God  created 
to  be  received  with  thanksgiving  by  them  that  believe 
and  know  the  truth. 

For  every  creature  of  God  is  good,  and  nothing  is  to 
be  rejected,  if  it  be  received  with  thanksgiving:  for 
it  is  sanctified  through  the  word  of  God  and  prayer. 

A  Good  Minister. 

If  thou  put  the  brethren  in  mind  of  these  things, 
thou  shalt  be  a  good  minster  of  Christ  Jesus,  nourished 
in  the  words  of  the  faith,  and  of  the  good  doctrine 
which  thou  hast  followed  until  now :  but  refuse  profane 
and  old  wives'  fables. 

And  exercise  thyself  unto  godliness:  for  bodily 
exercise  is  profitable  for  a  ittle;  but  godliness  is  profi- 
table for  all  things,  having  promise  of  the  life  which 
now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come.  Faithful  is  the 
saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation.  For  to  this  end 
we  labor  and  strive,  because  we  have  our  hope  set  on 
the  living  God,  who  is  the  Saviour  of  all  men,  especially 
of  them  that  believe.  These  things  command  and 
teach. 

The  Ministers  Self-Respect. 

Let  no  man  despise  thy  youth;  but  be  thou  an  en- 
sample  to  them  that  believe,  in  word,  in  manner  of 
life,  in  love,  in  faith,  in  purity. 

Till  I  come,  give  heed  to  reading,  to  exhortation,  to 
teaching.      Neglect  not  the  gift  that  is  in  thee,  wh'ch 


THE   MINISTER  AS   PASTOR  199 

was  given  thee  by  prophecy,  with  the  laying  on  of 
the  hands  of  the  presbytery.  Be  diligent  in  these 
things  give  thyself  wholly  to  them ;  that  thy  progress 
may  be  manifest  unto  all.  Take  heed  to  thyself,  and  to 
thy  teaching.  Continue  in  these  things;  for  in  doing 
this  thou  shalt  save  both  thyself  and  them  that  hear 
thee. 

The  Minister  as  Pastor. 

Rebuke  not  an  elder,  but  exhort  him  as  a  father;  the 
youngt^r  men  as  brethren :  the  elder  women  as  mothers ; 
the  younger  as  sisters,  in  all  purity. 

The  Care  of  Widows. 

Honor  widows  that  are  widows  indeed.  But  if  any 
widow  hath  chi  dren  or  grandchildren,  let  them  learn 
first  to  show  piety  towards  their  own  family,  and  to 
requite  their  parents :  for  this  is  acceptable  in  the  sight 
of  God.  Now  she  that  is  a  widow  indeed,  and  desolate, 
hath  her  hope  set  on  God,  and  continueth  in  supplica- 
tions and  prayers  night  and  day.  But  she  that  giveth 
herself  to  pleasure  is  dead  while  she  liveth.  These 
things  also  command,  that  they  may  be  without  re- 
proach. But  if  any  provideth  not  for  his  own,  and 
specially  his  own  household,  he  hath  dened  the  faith, 
and  is  worse  than  an  unbeliever. 

Let  none  be  enrolled  as  a  widow  under  threescore 
years  old,  having  been  the  wife  of  one  man,  well  re- 
ported of  for  good  works;  if  she  hath  brought  up 
children  if  she  hath  used  hospitality  to  strangers, 
r  she  hath  washed  the  saints'  feet,  if  she  hath  relieved 
the  afflicted,  if  she  hath  diligently  followed  every  good 
work. 

But  younger  widows  refuse:  for  when  they  have 
waxed  wanton  against  Christ,  they  desire   to  marry; 


200        REWARD  AND  REPROOF  OF  ELDERS 

having  condemnation,  because  they  have  rejected  their 
first  p'edge.  And  withal  they  learn  also  to  be  idle, 
going  about  from  house  to  house;  and  not  only  idle,  but 
tattlers  also  and  busybodies,  speaking  things  which 
they  ought  not.  I  desire  therefore  that  the  younger 
widows  marry,  bear  children,  rule  the  household,  give 
no  occasion  to  the  adversary  for  revi  ing :  for  already 
some  are  turned  aside  after  Satan. 

If  any  woman  that  believeth  hath  widows,  let  her 
relieve  them, and  let  not  the  church  be  burdened;  that 
it  may  relieve  them  that  are  widows  indeed. 

Reward  and  Reproof  of  Elders. 

Let  the  elders  that  rule  well  be  counted  worthy  of 
double  honor,  especially  those  who  labor  in  the  word 
and  in  teaching.  For  the  scripture  saith,  "Thou  shalt 
not  muzzle  the  ox  when  he  treadeth  out  the  corn." 
And,  "The  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  h  re.  " 

Against  an  elder  receive  not  an  accusation,  except 
at  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses.  Them  that 
sin  reprove  in  the  sight  of  all,  that  the  rest  also  may  be 
in  fear.  I  charge  thee  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  Christ 
Jesus,  and  the  elect  angels,  that  thou  observe  these 
things  without  prejudice,  doing  nothing  by  partiality. 

Lay  hands  hastily  on  no  man,  neither  be  partaker 
of  other  men's  sins:  keep  thyself  pure  Be  no  longer  a 
drinker  of  water,  but  use  a  little  wine  for  thy  stomach's 
sake  and  thine  often  infirmities.  Some  men's  sins  are 
evident,  going  before  unto  judgment;  and  some  men 
also  they  follow  after.  In  like  manner  also  there  are 
good  works  that  are  evident:  and  such  as  are  otherwise 
cannot  be  hid. 

The  Duty  of  Slaves. 

Let  as  many  as  are  servants  under  the  yoke  count 
their  own  masters  worthy  of  all  honor,  that  the  name 


FALSE  TEACHERS   AND  MONEY  LOVERS  201 

of  God  and  the  doctrine  be  not  blasphemed.  And 
they  that  have  beheving  masters,  let  them  not  despise 
them,  because  they  are  brethren;  but  let  them  serve 
them  the  rather,  because  they  that  partake  of  the  bene- 
fit are  believing  and  beloved.  These  things  teach 
and  exhort. 

False  Teachers  and  Money  Lovers. 

If  any  man  teacheth  a  different  doctrine,  and  con- 
senteth  not  to  sound  words,  even  the  words  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  doctrine  which  is  accord- 
ing to  godliness;  he  is  puffed  up,  knowing  nothing,  but 
doting  about  questionings  and  disputes  of  words, 
whereof  cometh  envy,  strife,  railings,  evil  surmisings, 
wranglings  of  men  corrupted  in  mind  and  bereft  of  the 
truth,  supposing  that  godliness  is  a  way  of  gain. 

But  godHness  with  contentment  is  great  gain:  for 
we  brought  nothing  into  the  world,  for  neither  can  we 
carry  anything  out;  but  having  food  and  covering  we 
shall  be  therewith  content. 

But  they  that  are  minded  to  be  rich  fall  into  a 
temptation  and  a  snare  and  many  foolish  and  hurtful 
lusts,  such  as  drown  men  in  destruction  an^  perdition. 
For  the  love  of  money  is  a  root  of  all  kinds  of  evil: 
which  some  reaching  after  have  been  led  astray  from 
the  faith,  and  have  pierced  themselves  through  with 
many  sorrows. 

The  Sincere  Man  of  God. 

But  thou,  O  man  of  God,  flee  these  things;  and 
follow  after  righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love, 
patience,  meekness.  Fight  the  good  fight  of  the  faith, 
lay  hold  on  the  life  eternal,  whereunto  thou  wast 
called,  and  didst  confess  the*  good  confession  in  the 
sight  of  many  witnesses. 


202  THE  MINISTER  AND  THE  RICH 

I  charge  thee  in  the  sight  of  God,  who  giveth  life 
to  all  things,  and  of  Christ  Jesus,  who  before  Pontius 
Pilate  witnessed  the  good  confession;  that  thou  keep 
the  commandment,  without  spot,  without  reproach, 
until  the  appearing  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  which  in 
its  own  times  he  shall  show,  who  is  the  blessed  and 
only  Potentate,  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords; 
who  only  hath  immortality,  dwelling  in  light  unap- 
proachable; whom  no  man  hath  seen,  nor  can  see: 
to  whom  be  honor  and  power  eternal.     Amen 

The  Minister  and  the  Rich. 

Charge  them  that  are  rich  in  this  present  world, 
that  they  be  not  highminded,  nor  have  their  hope  set 
on  the  uncertainty  of  riches,  but  on  God,  who  giveth 
us  richly  of  all  things  to  enjoy;  that  they  do  good,  that 
they  be  rich  in  good  works,  that  they  be  ready  to 
distribute,  willing  to  communicate;  laying  up  in  store 
for  themselves  a  good  foundation  against  the  time  to 
come,  that  they  may  lay  hold  on  the  life  which  is  life 
indeed. 

The  Final  Appeal. 

O  Timothy,  guard  that  which  is  committed  unto  thee, 
turning  away  from  the  profane  babblings  and  oppo- 
sitions of  the  knowledge  which  is  falsely  so  called; 
which  some  professing  have  erred  concerning  the  faith. 

Grace  Be  with  You. 


LETTER  TO  TITUS.^ 

PAUL,  A  SERVANT  OF  GOD,  AND  AN  APOSTLE  OF  JESUS 
CHRIST,  ACCORDING  TO  THE  FAITH  OF  GOD'S  ELECT, 
AND  THE  KNOWLEDGE  OF  THE  TRUTH  WHICH  IS 
ACCORDING  TO  GODLINESS,  IN  HOPE  OF  ETERNAL 
LIFE,  WHICH  GOD,  WHO  CANNOT  LIE,  PROMISED 
BEFORE  TIMES  ETERNAL;  BUT  IN  HIS  OWN  SEASONS 
MANIFESTED  HIS  WORD  IN  THE  MESSAGE,  WHEREWITH 
I  WAS  ENTRUSTED  ACCORDING  TO  THE  COMMANDMENT 
OF  GOD  OUR  saviour;  to  TITUS,  MY  TRUE  CHILD 
AFTER     A    COMMON -faith:     GRACE     AND    PEACE    FROM 

god  the  father  and  christ  jesus  our  saviour. 
Appointment  of  Good  Elders. 

For  this  cause  left  I  thee  in  Crete,  that  thou  shouldest 
set  in  order  the  things  that  were  wanting,  and  appoint 
elders  in  every  city,  as  I  gave  thee  charge;  if  any  man 
is  blameless,  the  husband  of  one  wife,  having  children 
that  believe,  who  are  not  accused  of  riot  or  unruly. 

For  the  bishop  must  be  blameless,  as  God's  steward; 
not  self-willed,  not  soon  angry,  no  brawler,  no  striker, 
not  greedy  of  filthy  lucre;  but  given  to  hospitality, 
a  lover  of  good,  sober-minded,  just,  holy, self -controlled; 
holding  to  the  faithful  word  which  is  according  to  the 
teaching,  that  he  may  be  able  both  to  exhort  in  the 
sound  doctrine,  and  to  convict  the  gainsayers. 

The  Opponents  of  Truth. 

For  there  are  many  unruly  men,  vain  talkers  and 
deceivers,  specially  they  of  the  circumcision,  whose 
mouths  must  be  stopped;  men  who  overthrow  whole 
houses,    teaching   things   which    they   ought    not,    for 

(')This  letter  may'  have  been  written  to  Titus  from  Macedonia 
soon  after  Paul  had  left  him  in  charge  in  Crete. 

203 


204  SOBER,  RIGHTEOUS,  GODLY  LIFE 

filthy  lucre's  sake.     One  of  themselves,  a  -prophet  of 
their  own,  said, 

"Cretans  are  always  liars,   evil  beasts,  idle  glut- 
tons." 

This  testimony  is  true.  For  which  cause  reprove 
them  sharply,  that  they  may  be  sound  in  the  faith,  not 
giving  heed  to  Jewish  fables,  and  commandments  of 
men  who  turn  away  from  the  truth. 

To  the  pure  all  things  are  pure :  but  to  them  that  are 
defiled  and  unbelieving  nothing  is  pure;  but  both  their 
mind  and  their  conscience  are  defiled.  They  profess 
that  they  know  God;  but  by  their  works  they  deny 
him,  being  abominable,  and  disobedient,  and  unto 
every  good  work  reprobate. 

Sober,  Righteous,  Godly  Life. 

But  speak  thou  the  things  which  befit  the  sound 
doctrine:  that  aged  men  be  temperate,  grave,  sober- 
minded,  sound  in  faith,  in  love,  in  patience:  that  aged 
women  likewise  be  reverent  in  demeanor,  not  slan- 
derers nor  enslaved  to  much  wine,  teachers  of  that 
which  is  good;  that  they  may  train  the  young  women 
to  love  their  husbands,  to  love  their  children,  to  be 
sober-minded,  chaste,  workers  at  home,  kind,  being 
in  subjection  to  their  own  husbands,  that  the  word  of 
God  be  not  blasphemed:  the  younger  men  likewise 
exhort  to  be  sober-minded :  in  all  things  showing  thy- 
self an  ensample  of  good  works;  in  thy  doctrine  show- 
ing uncorruptness,  gravity,  sound  speech,  that  cannot 
be  condemned;  that  he  that  is  of  the  contrary  part 
may  be  ashamed,  having  no  evil  thing  to  say  of  us. 
Exhort  servants  to  be  in  subjection  to  their  own 
masters,  and  to  be  well-pleasing  to  them  in  all  things; 
not  gainsaying;  not  purloining,  but  showing  all  good 


LIVING  BY  god's   GRACE  205 

fidelity;  that  they  may  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our 
Saviour  in  all  things. 

Living  by  God's  Grace. 

For  the  grace  of  God  hath  appeared,  bringing 
salvation  to  all  men,  instructing  us,  to  the  intent  that, 
denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live 
soberly  and  righteously  and  godly  in  this  present  world; 
looking  for  the  blessed  hope  and  appearing  of  the  glory 
of  the  great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ;  who 
gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all 
iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a  people  for  his  own 
possession,  zealous  of  good  works. 

Christians  in  the  World. 

These  things  speak  and  exhort  and  reprove  withal 
authority.     Let  no  man  despise  thee. 

Put  them  in  mind  to  be  in  subjection  to  rulers,  to 
authorities,  to  be  obedient,  to  be  ready  unto  every  good 
work,  to  speak  evil  of  no  man,  not  to  be  contentious, 
to  be  gentle,  showing  all  meekness  toward  all  men. 

Saved  by  God's  Love. 

For  we  also  once  were  foolish,  disobedient,  deceived, 
serving  divers  lusts  and  pleasures,  living^  in  malice 
and  envy,  hateful,  hating  one  another. 

But  when  the  kindness  of  God  our  Saviour,  and  his 
love  toward  man,  appeared,  not  by  works  done  in 
righteousness,  which  we  did  ourselves,  but  according 
to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  through  the  washing  of  re- 
generation and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  he 
poured  out  upon  us  richly,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Saviour;  that,  being  justified  by  his  grace,  we  might 
be  made  heirs  according  to  the  hope  of  eternal  life. 


206         foolish  questions  and  factious  men 
Foolish  Questions  and  Factious  Men. 

Faithful  is  the  saying,  and  concerning  these  things 
I  desire  that  thou  affirm  confidently,  to  the  end  that 
they  who  have  believed  God  may  be  careful  to  maintain 
good  works.  These  things  are  good  and  profitable 
unto  men:  but  shun  foolish  questionings,  and  genealo- 
gies, and  strifes,  and  fightings  about  the  law;  for  they 
are  unprofitable  and  vain. 

A  factious  man  after  a  first  and  second  admonition 
refuse;  knowing  that  such  a  one  is  perverted,  and 
sinneth,    being   self-condemned. 

Personal  Directions. 

When  I  shall  send  Artemas  unto  thee,  or  Tychicus, 
give  diligence  to  come  unto  me  to  Nicopolis:  for  there 
I  have  determined  to  winter.  Set  forward  Zenas  the 
lawyer  and  Apollos  on  their  journey  diligently,  that 
nothing  be  wanting  unto  them.  And  let  our  people 
also  learn  to  maintain  good  works  for  necessary  uses, 
that  they  be  not  unfruitful. 

Salutations. 

Al  that  are  with  me  salute  thee.  Salute  them  that 
love  us  in  faith. 

Grace  be  with  you  all 


SECOND  LETTER  TO  TIMOTHY/ 

Paul,  an  apostle  of  christ  jesus  through  the  will 
OF  god,  according  to  the  promise  of  the  life 

which  is  in  CHRIST  JESUS,  TO  TIMOTHY,  MY  BELOVED 

child:  grace,  mercy,  peace,  from  god  the  father 
and  christ  jesus  our  lord. 

Thanksgiving. 

'I  thank  God,  whom  I  serve  from  my  forefathers  in 
a  pure  conscience,  how  unceasing  is  my  remembrance 
of  thee  in  my  supplications,  night  and  day  longing  to 
see  thee,  remembering  thy  tears,  that  I  may  be  filled 
with  joy;  having  been  reminded  of  the  unfeigned  faith 
that  is  in  thee;  which  dwelt  first  in  thy  grandmother 
Lois,  and  thy  mother  Eunice;  and  I  am  persuaded,  in 
thee  also. 

Faithfulness  Through  Shame  and  Hardship. 

For  which  cause  I  put  thee  in  remembrance  that 
thou  stir  up  the  gift  of  God,  which  is  in  thee  through 
the  laying  on  of  my  hands.  For  God  gave  us  not  a 
spirit  of  fearfulness;  but  of  power  and  love  and  dis- 
cipline. 

Be  not  ashamed  therefore  of  the  testimony  of  our 
Lord,  nor  of  me  his  prisoner:  but  suffer  hardship  with 
the  gospel  according  to  the  power  of  God;  who  saved  us, 
and  called  us  with  a  holy  calling,  not  according  to  our 
works,  but  according  to  his  own  purpose  and  grace, 
which  was  given  us  in  Christ  Jesus  before  times  eternal, 
but  hath  now  been  manifested  by  the  appearing  of  our 
Saviour  Christ  Jesus,  who  abolished  death,  and  brought 
life  and  immortality  to  light  through  the  gospel,  where- 

(')If  Paul  was  released  from  prison,  he  was  subsequently  arrested 
again.  This  letter  is  the  last  he  wrote,  and  is  addressed  to  Timothy 
at  Ephesus  from  the  Roman  prison  shortly  before  Paul's  execution. 

207 


208  DISLOYALTY  AND  FIDELITY 

unto  I  was  appointed  a  preacher,  and  an  apostle,  and 
a  teacher.  For  which  cause  I  suffer  also  these  things: 
yet  I  am  not  ashamed;  for  I  know  him  whom  I  have 
believed,  and  I  am  persuaded  that  he  is  able  to  guard 
that  which  I  have  committed  unto  him  against  that 
day. 

Hold  the  pattern  of  sound  words  which  thou  hast 
heard  from  me,  in  faith  and  love  which  is  in  Christ 
Jesus.  That  good  thing  which  was  committed  unto 
thee  guard  through  the  Holy  Spirit  which  dwelleth 
,in  us. 

Disloyalty  and  Fidel  ty. 

This  thou  knowest,  that  all  that  are  in  Asia  turned 
away  from  me ;  of  whom  are  Phygelus  and  Hermogenes. 

The  Lord  grant  mercy  unto  the  house  of  Onesiph- 
orus:  for  he  oft  refreshed  me,  and  was  not  ashamed 
of  my  chain;  but,  when  he  was  in  Rome,  he  sought  me 
diligently,  and  found  me  (the  Lord  grant  unto  him  to 
find  mercy  of  the  Lord  in  that  day) ;  and  in  how  many 
things  he  ministered  at  Ephesus,  thou  knowest  very 
well. 

Thou  therefore,  my  child,  be  strengthened  in  the 
grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  the  things  which 
thou  hast  heard  from  me  among  many  witnesses,  the 
same  commit  thou  to  faithful  men,  who  shall  be  able 
to  teach  others  also. 

Examples  of  Faithfulness. 

Suffer  hardship  with  me,  as  a  good  soldier  of  Christ 
Jesus.  No  soldier  on  service  entangleth  himself  in  the 
affairs  of  this  life;  that  he  may  please  him  who  enrolled 
him  as  a  soldier.  And  if  also  a  man  contend  in  the 
games,  he  is  not  crowned,  except  he  have  contended 
lawfully.  The  husbandman  that  laboreth  must  be  the 
first  to  partake  of  the  fruits.  Consider  what  I  say;  for 
the  Lord  shall  give  thee  unaerstanding  in  all  things. 


the  great  incentive  209 

The  Great  Incentive. 

Remember  Jesus  Christ,  risen  from  the  dead,  of  the 
seed  of  David,  according  to  my  gospel:  wherein  I  suffer 
hardship  unto  bonds,  as  a  malefactor;  but  the  word  of 
God  is  not  bound.  Therefore  I  endure  all  things  for 
the  elect's  sake,  that  they  also  may  obtain  the  salvation 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  with  eternal  glory. 

Faithful  is  the  saying:  For  if  we  died  with  him, 
we  shall  also  live  with  him:  if  we  endure,  we  shall  also 
reign  with  him:  if  we  shall  deny  him,  he  also  will  deny 
us :  if  we  are  faithless,  he  abideth  faithful ;  for  he  cannot 
deny  himself. 

The  Minister's  Obligation. 
Of  these  things  put  them  in  remembrance,  charging 
them  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  that  they  strive  not 
about  words,  to  no  profit,  to  the  subverting  of  them 
that  hear.  Give  diligence  to  present  thyself  approved 
unto  God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed, 
handling  aright  the  word  of  truth. 

Dangers  to  be  Shunned. 

But  shun  profane  babblings:  for  they  will  proceed 
further  in  ungodliness,  and  their  word  will  eat  as  doth 
a  gangrene:  of  whom  is  Hymenaeus  and  Philetus;  men 
who  concerning  the  truth  have  erred,  saying  that  the 
resurrection  is  past  already,  and  overthrow  the  faith 
of  some. 

Howbeit  the  firm  foundation  of  God  standeth,  having 
this  seal, "The  Lord  knoweth  them  that  are  his:"  and, 
"Let  every  one  that  nameth  the  name  of  the  Lord  de- 
part   from    unrighteousness." 

Now  in  a  great  house  there  are  not  only  vessels  of 
gold  and  of  silver,  but  also  of  wood  and  of  earth;  and 
some  unto  honor,  and  some  unto  dishonor.  If  a  man 
therefore  purge  himself  from  these,  he  shall  be  a  vessel 


210  THE   COMING   OF   ERROR 

unto  honor,  sanctified,  meet  for  the  master's  use,  pre- 
pared unto  every  good  work. 

But  flee  youthful  lusts,  and  follow  after  righteousness, 
faith,  love,  peace,  with  them  that  call  on  the  Lord  out 
of  a  pure  heart.  But  foolish  and  ignorant  questionings 
refuse,  knowing  that  they  gender  strifes.  And  the 
Lord's  servant  must  not  strive,  but  be  gentle  towards 
all,  apt  to  teach,  forbearing,  in  meekness  correcting 
them  that  oppose  themselves;  if  peradventure  God  may 
give  them  repentance  unto  the  knowledge  of  the  truth, 
and  they  may  recover  themselves  out  of  the  snare  of 
the  devil,  having  been  taken  captive  by  him  unto  his 
will. 

The  Coming  of  Error. 

But  know  this,  that  in  the  last  days  grievous  times 
shall  come.  For  men  shall  be  lovers  of  self,  lovers  of 
money,  boastful,  haughty,  railers,  disobedient  to 
parents,  unthankful,  unholy,  without  natural  affection, 
implacable,  slanderers,  without  self-control,  fierce,  no 
lovers  of  good,  trafitors,  headstrong,  puffed  up,  lovers  of 
pleasure  rather  than  lovers  of  God;  holding  a  form  of 
godliness,  but  having  denied  the  power  thereof:  from 
these  also  turn  away.  For  of  these  are  they  that  creep 
into  houses,  and  take  captive  silly  women  laden  with 
sins,  led  away  by  divers  lusts,  ever  learning,  and  never 
able  to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  And  even 
as  Jannes  and  Jambres  withstood  Moses,  so  do  these 
also  withstand  the  truth;  men  corrupted  in  mind, 
reprobate  concerning  the  faith. 

But  they  shall  proceed  no  further:  for  their  folly  shall 
be  evident  unto  all  m  n  as  theirs  also  came  to  be. 

Security  of  the  Man  of  God. 

But  thou  didst  follow  my  teaching,  conduct,  purpose, 
faith,  longsuffering,  love,  patience,  persecutions,  suffer- 


THE  EVANGELISTIC  MINISTRY  211 

ings;  what  things  befell  me  at  Antioch,  at  Iconium,  at 
Lystra ;  what  persecutions  I  endured :  and  out  of  them 
all  the  Lord  delivered  me.  Yea,  and  all  that  would 
live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution.  But 
evil  men  and  imposters  shall  wax  worse  and  worse, 
deceiving  and  being  deceived. 

But  abide  thou  in  the  things  which  thou  hast  learned 
and  hast  been  assured  of,  knowing  of  whom  thou  hast 
learned  them;  and  that  from  a  babe  thou  hast  known 
the  sacred  writings  which  are  able  to  make  thee  wise 
unto  salvation  through  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Every  scripture  inspired  of  God  is  also  profitable  for 
t'^aching,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction 
which  is  in  righteousness:  that  the  man  of  God  rpay  be 
complete,  furnished  completely  unto  every  good  work. 

The  Evangelistic  Ministry. 

I  charge  thee  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  of  Christ  Jesus, 
w^ho  shall  judge  the  living  and  the  dead,  and  by  his 
appearing  and  his  kingdom:  preach  the  word;  be  urgent 
in  season,  out  of  season;  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with 
all  longsuffering  and  teaching. 

For  the  time  will  come  when  they  will  not  endure  the 
sound  doctrine;  but,  having  itching  ears,  will  heap  to 
themselves  teachers  after  their  own  lusts;  and  will  turn 
away  their  ears  from  the  truth,  and  turn  aside  unto 
fables. 

But  be  thou  sober  in  all  things,  suffer  hardship,  do  the 
work  of  an  evangelist,  fulfil  thy  ministry. 

The  Passing  of  the  Leader. 

For  I  am  already  being  offered,  and  the  time  of  my 
departure  is  come.  I  have  fought  the  good  fight,  I 
have  finished  the  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith:  hence- 
foi  th  there  is  laid  up  for  me  the  crown  of  righteousness. 


212  PERSONAL    MESSAGES 

which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  shaU  give  to  me 
at  that  day;  and  not  to  me  only,  but  also  to  all  them 
that  have  loved  his  appearing. 

Personal  Messages. 

Give  diligence  to  come  shortly  unto  me:  for  Demas 
forsook  me,  having  loved  this  present  world,  and  went 
to  Thessalonica ;  Crescens  to  Galatia,  Titus  to  Dal- 
matia.  Only  Luke  is  with  me.  Take  Mark,  and 
bring  him  with  thee ;  for  he  is  useful  to  me  for  minister- 
ing. But  Tychicus  I  sent  to  Ephesus.  The  cloak  that 
I  left  at  Troas  with  Carpus,  bring  when  thou  comest, 
and  the  books,  especially  the  parchments, 

Alexander  the  coppersmith  did  me  much  evil:  the 
Lord  will  render  to  him  according  to  his  works:  of 
whom  do  thou  also  beware;  for  he  greatly  withstood 
our  words. 

At  my  first  defence  no  one  took  my  part,  but  all  for- 
sook me :  may  it  not  be  laid  to  their  account. 

But  the  Lord  stood  by  me,  and  strengthened  me; 
that  through  me  the  message  might  be  fully  proclaimed, 
and  that  all  the  Gentiles  might  hear:  and  I  was  de- 
livered* out  of  the  mouth  of  the  lion.  The  Lord  will 
deliver  me  from  every  evil  work,  and  will  save  me  unto 
his  heavenly  kingdom:  to  whom  be  the  glory  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amen. 

Salute  Prisca  and  Aquila.and-  the  house  of  Onesiph- 
orus.  Erastus  remained  at  Corinth:  but  Trophimus 
I  left  at  Miletus  sick.  Give  diligence  to  come  before 
winter.  Eubulus  saluteth  thee,  and  Pudens,  and 
Linus,  and  Claudia,  and  all  the  brethren. 

The  Lord  be  with  thy  Spirit.       Grace  be  with  You. 


BS190.A151906.C53 

His  great  apostle  :  the  life  and  letters 


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